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Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate whether the virucidal effectiveness of chlorine dioxid against adenovirus and murine norovirus can be improved by combining it with carboxylic acids and surfactants.Method: The virucidal efficacy against polio-, adeno- and murine norovirus has been tested in presence of interfering substances in the quantitative suspension test according to EN 14476, the carrier test without mechanical action according to EN 16777, and in the four-field test according to EN 16615.Three chlorine-dioxide-based surface disinfectants were tested: a two-component cleaning disinfectant concentrate for large surfaces, a ready-to-use (RTU) foam, and an RTU gel. Results: Cleaning and disinfecting preparations based on chlorine dioxide, applied at various concentrations, in combination with acetic acid or citric acid and surfactants, are virucidally active against polio-, and norovirus after an exposure time of 5 minutes in presence of interfering substances.

Background/Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common forms of persistent arrhythmia in adults worldwide. The aim of this study was to present recent data on the epidemiology of patients hospitalized with AF in Poland. Methods: This is a retrospective, population-based study conducted using hospital discharge records. The data covered 1,225,424 cases of AF hospitalization reported in 2017–2021. Results: The study group consisted of 51.36% men and 48.64% women. The mean and median ages were 73.6 and 74 years, respectively. Women were older than men (77 vs. 70 years, p < 0.001). The mean and median lengths of hospitalization were 6.9 and 4 days. The mean annual hospitalization rate was 640.0 per 100,000 person-years. In the group of patients aged ≥65 years, the hospitalization rate was 2870.4 per 100,000 person-years. Men were hospitalized more frequently than women (p < 0.001). The total in-hospital mortality rate was 37.7 per 100,000 person-years, and it was higher in women than in men (p < 0.001). There was a significant downward trend in first-time hospitalizations during the analyzed period and a significant downward trend in mortality rates with a marked increase in the years 2020–2021. Conclusions: Although women are less frequently hospitalized for AF, they show a higher risk of fatal hospitalizations. The pandemic may have reduced new AF diagnoses and increased mortality in this group of patients. The results of this study may be helpful in making comparative analyses in the European and global contexts and taking actions aimed at improving the health condition of the Polish population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Airway infections represent one of the most common causes of mortality worldwide. The authors sought to describe patients hospitalized for lung and mediastinum abscesses in Poland from 2009 to 2016. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first evaluation of the disease in Poland. Material and methods: The authors conducted a retrospective, populationbased study, using data from 14,932 hospital discharge records. Lung and mediastinum abscesses incidence rates were estimated on the basis of data from a Polish hospital morbidity study, carried out by the National Institute of Public Health. Results: The study group consisted of 12,049 patients (74.3% male and 25.7% female patients) hospitalized for the first time with the diagnosis of lung or mediastinum abscesses. The mean and median age was 57.2 and 59 years, respectively. The mean age was significantly higher in females than males (57.9 years vs. 57 years, p < 0.05). Patients were hospitalized with the following diagnosis: abscess of lung with pneumonia (60.9%), abscess of lung without pneumonia (24.9%), abscess of lung and mediastinum (2.6%), gangrene and necrosis of lung (2.8%), abscess of mediastinum (9.7%). The average annual incidence of lung abscesses, including gangrene or necrosis of lung, was 35.7 per million (95% CI: 34.1-37.4) and the average annual incidence of mediastinum abscess was 4.8 per million (95% CI: 4.3-5.3). The incidence rates for all cases of lung or mediastinum abscesses did not vary significantly between urban and rural regions. Conclusions: Presented recent data on lung and mediastinum abscesses in Poland may be helpful in comparative analyses among European countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthocyanins are phenolic compounds occurring in fruits and vegetables. Evidence from pre-clinical studies indicates their role in glucose level regulation, gut microbiota improvement, and inflammation reduction under diabetic conditions. Therefore, incorporating these research advancements into clinical practice would significantly improve the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes. This narrative review provides a concise overview of 18 findings from recent clinical research published over the last 5 years that investigate the therapeutic effects of dietary anthocyanins on diabetes. Anthocyanin supplementation has been shown to have a regulatory effect on fasting blood glucose levels, glycated hemoglobin, and other diabetes-related indicators. Furthermore, increased anthocyanin dosages had more favorable implications for diabetes treatment. This review provides evidence that an anthocyanin-rich diet can improve diabetes outcomes, especially in at-risk groups. Future research should focus on optimal intervention duration, consider multiple clinical biomarkers, and analyze anthocyanin effects among well-controlled versus poorly controlled groups of patients with diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Prevention through vaccinations in the group of healthcare professionals provides protection not only to this particular group but also to their environment. Students of the senior years of medical faculties are persons who will become healthcare professionals in the near future. Objectives. The aim of the study was to analyze the attitudes of senior students of medical faculties towards vaccinations, analyze factors that influence these attitudes, and to assess their knowledge and awareness of the safety, effectiveness, and necessity of vaccinations. Material and methods. The research tool was a self-made questionnaire. The study was conducted in a group of senior students of selected faculties at the Medical University of Warsaw. Results. It has been shown that the vast majority of those surveyed were convinced of the importance and effectiveness of preventive vaccinations. The study also proves that proper education about vaccinations can increase the number of healthcare professionals who decide to undergo mandatory and recommended vaccinations. Persons who have the knowledge about vaccinations and their health and social benefits are more likely to decide to get vaccinated. The study also showed that the knowledge gained during medical studies is the basis for building awareness of future medical staff in the field of preventive vaccinations. Conclusions. The results obtained in this study may be used to make a suggestion for medical universities and medical self-governing bodies on how to increase the vaccination rate among medical students and medical staff with mandatory vaccines and vaccines recommended for healthcare professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the vaccine market access pathway in Poland to evaluate its efficiency and propose recommendations for its improvement. The research spans a comprehensive analysis of the vaccine assessment process, ranging from pre-registration to sustainability, encompassing critical components such as national immunization technical advisory groups (NITAGs), health technology assessments, resource evaluations, and decision making. This investigation utilizes a multi-phase approach. Initial desk research aimed to collect accumulated evidence about each step of the vaccine access pathway. This constituted the background for an expert panel discussion (n = 13) and a final online questionnaire (n = 12), evaluating the timeframes, inclusiveness, transparency, and consistency of the elements of the process. Poland is a late adopter of new vaccines. The country faces budget constraints and lacks a formalized framework for the inclusion of vaccines into the national immunization program. Notably, NITAGs play a crucial role, yet their limited resources and dependence on public health stakeholders diminish their impact. A formal and well-supported advisory body may become a foundation for decision-making processes. The health technology assessment conducted by the national agency is recognized for its timeliness and transparency, though the absence of fiscal analyses in vaccine assessments is identified as a gap that limits the understanding of the value of vaccinations. Resources are key drivers of decision making, and recent changes in legislation offer increased flexibility in financing vaccines. Challenges in the procurement process include a limited consideration of non-acquisition costs and an increased absence of a documented general strategy for immunization program development in Poland, pointing to a need for strategic planning. In conclusion, this study recommends the establishment of a robust NITAG with enhanced resources, incorporating fiscal analyses, transparent resource allocation, and strategic planning for immunization program development. Addressing these recommendations is crucial for optimizing Poland's vaccine market access pathway, ensuring timely and efficient population-wide vaccine access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: There are limited data on the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in Poland on newborn health. The aim of the study is to show recent information on hospitalizations of newborns in Poland in the pre-pandemic and COVID-19 pandemic era. Methods: A retrospective, population-based study was conducted using data from hospital discharge records of patients hospitalized in 2017–2021. Results: The data on which the study was based consisted of a substantial number of 104,450 hospitalization records. Annual hospitalization rate was estimated to be 50.3–51.9 per 1,000 in 2017–2019, 56 per 1,000 in 2020 and it rose to 77.7 per 1,000 in 2021. In comparison to the pre-pandemic period, in the COVID-19 era, we observed significantly more hospitalization cases of newborns affected by maternal renal and urinary tract diseases (p < 0.001), syndrome of infant of mother with gestational diabetes (p < 0.001), maternal complications of pregnancy (p < 0.001). In the COVID-19 era, the prevalence of COVID-19 among newborns was 4.5 cases per 1,000 newborn hospitalizations. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak could significantly contribute to qualitative and quantitative changes in hospitalizations among newborns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: (1) Influence of comorbidities on life expectancy and treatment outcomes is one of the main concerns of modern rheumatology, due to their rising prevalence and increasing impact on mortality and disability. The main objective of our study was to analyze the time trends and shifts in the comorbidity profile and mortality over 10 years in the Polish population with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). (2) Data from 2011–2020 years were acquired from the General Hospital Morbidity Study in the National Institute of Public Health—National Institute of Hygiene (NIH-PIB) as ICD-10 codes. Based on ICD10 codes, we calculated the percentage shares for comorbidities, with the relative risk ratios and odds ratios. We analyzed the hospitalization rates and mortality from the overlapping conditions. Also, we analyzed age and sex related differences in the clinical manifestations of AS patients. (3) Results: From 53,142 hospitalizations of patients with AS, we found that the male population presented higher rates of cardiovascular (2.7% vs. 1.3% p < 0.001) and pulmonary conditions (1.2% vs. 0.8% p < 0.025). Inflammatory bowel diseases were more common in the female population than in males (2.3% vs. 1.7%, p < 0.001). In the years 2011–2020, we observed a decline in the number of hospitalized patients due to cardiovascular (p < 0.001) and respiratory system conditions (p < 0.001), yet the relative risk and odd ratios remained high. In the years 2011–2020, 4056 patients received biological treatment (7%). The number of initiated biological therapies correlated negatively with the number of reported hospitalizations due to ischemic heart diseases (IHD) (p < 0.031, r = −0.8). Furthermore, in the logistic regression model, we found strong collinearity between cardiovascular and pulmonary comorbidities (VIF = 14; tolerance = 0.1); also, the number of reported IHD's correlated positively with the number of pulmonary infections (p < 0.031, r = 0.7) (4). Conclusions: Cardiopulmonary comorbidities are a main factor associated with increased mortality in patients with AS, especially in hospitalized patients. The mortality rates among patients with AS admitted to hospital due to other conditions other than movement disorders exceed the populational risk. The number of biologically treated patients correlated negatively with hospital admissions due to IHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccinations are the most effective and economically beneficial form of preventing dangerous infectious diseases. Healthcare professionals should strive for the highest possible immunisation rate in the population, especially among patients from risk groups, which include pregnant women. The vaccination coverage among pregnant Polish women is still unsatisfactory. A consensus on vaccination of pregnant women has recently been achieved by the greatest scientific authorities: global organisations and scientific societies recommend all pregnant women to be vaccinated against pertussis, influenza and COVID-19. Vaccination during pregnancy leads to the production of post-vaccination antibodies that migrate transplacentally to the foetus, providing protection to infants in their first months of life. The inactivated influenza vaccine is safe and effective when given at any stage of pregnancy. Vaccination against pertussis should take place between week 27 and 36 of pregnancy. The COVID-19 vaccine can be administered simultaneously with other vaccines or with a 14-day interval. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends vaccination of pregnant women with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines at any stage of pregnancy. As a general rule, pregnant women should not be vaccinated with live, attenuated viruses or bacterial vaccines. Vaccines contraindicated for pregnant individuals, such as the vaccine against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, as well as HPV, can be administered after delivery and during the breastfeeding period. Vaccination of pregnant women against rabies or tetanus is necessary for post-exposure prophylaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annual vaccination is the most effective protection against influenza and its serious complications. It is especially important for people at high risk of severe course of the disease and serious complications: individuals with specific chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, children aged 6-59 months, older people, and healthcare workers. Despite a progressive increase in seasonal vaccine coverage, influenza-related morbidity, mortality, and hospitalization rates remain high and have continued to increase in people aged 65 years and over. Standard vaccines against influenza are less efficient in this group due to immunosenescence. Consequently, more effective vaccines are needed to prevent influenza and its complications in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as the co-occurrence of at least three of the following metabolic disorders: abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), high blood glucose, and hypertension. The treatment of MetS involves lifestyle changes, including following an appropriate diet. In addition to weight reduction, it is crucial to search for optimal nutritional patterns that are highly effective in optimizing other MetS markers, such as glucose and lipid metabolism, and reducing blood pressure. To date, the effects of a Mediterranean diet and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet on MetS have been extensively evaluated. Recent epidemiological studies suggest that plant-based diets (PBDs) may be effective in treating MetS; however, there is still a lack of experimental data. This review aims to analyze the potential benefits of different PBDs on MetS determinants based on the available studies. The findings may help personalize dietary interventions and improve patient care for those with MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the publication by the Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw of a document establishing the Polish standards for preventive health care of school-age children and adolescents by general practitioners, which are still in force today. Since then, their health status and the health risk factors have changed. Polish society and its expectations of health care are also different. The Polish economy has grown, and the proportion of the public budget spent on health care has increased. The current system of preventive health care for young people seems to be facing a problem. Over the past decade, the percentage of children and adolescents attending preventive medical visits in Poland has decreased by approximately 30%. During well-care visits, doctors commonly avoid selected physical examinations and sensitive topics, such as sexuality or mental health. It appears that most young people visit doctors only because they falsely believe that check-up visits are mandatory and usually rate the experience negatively. The co-authors of this paper conclude that there is a need for a broad debate on the Polish standards of preventive health care for adolescents and their possible reform, which would lead to their adaptation to the challenges of modern times and the opportunities offered by the progress of medical science and technology. The selection of topics is subjective and certainly does not cover all aspects requiring attention. The authors’ intention is to contribute to further discussion rather than to provide a basis for conclusions or postulates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has been met with an unprecedented response from the scientific community, leading to the development, investigation, and authorization of vaccines and antivirals, ultimately reducing the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on global public health. However, SARS-CoV-2 is far from being eradicated, continues to evolve, and causes substantial health and economic burdens. In this narrative review, we posit essential points on SARS-CoV-2 and its responsible management during the transition from the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. As discussed, despite Omicron (sub)variant(s) causing clinically milder infections, SARS-CoV-2 is far from being a negligible pathogen. It requires continued genomic surveillance, particularly if one considers that its future (sub)lineages do not necessarily have to be milder. Antivirals and vaccines remain the essential elements in COVID-19 management. However, the former could benefit from further development and improvements in dosing, while the seasonal administration of the latter requires simplification to increase interest and tackle vaccine hesitancy. It is also essential to ensure the accessibility of COVID-19 pharmaceuticals and vaccines in low-income countries and improve the understanding of their use in the context of the long-term goals of SARS-CoV-2 management. Regardless of location, the primary role of COVID-19 awareness and education must be played by healthcare workers, who directly communicate with patients and serve as role models for healthy behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common pathogen causing respiratory tract infections in infants, affecting over 90% of children within the first two years of life. It may cause lower respiratory tract infections, which constitute a significant healthcare burden both in the primary and secondary care settings. Meanwhile, the data regarding RSV disease in Poland is scarce, and published data significantly differs from the numbers reported for other countries with longstanding surveillance and reporting systems. A literature review and an expert panel were conducted to (1) understand the healthcare burden of RSV infections in Poland; (2) collect data on infection seasonality, patient pathway, and management patterns; and (3) evaluate RSV infection surveillance in Poland. According to the literature, RSV is the major agent responsible for non-influenza respiratory diseases in Poland. The reported rates of hospitalization for RSV infections are 267.5/100,000 for children under 5 years of age and 1132.1/100,000 for those under 1 year of age. Comparisons with data from other countries suggest that these values may be underestimated, possibly due to insufficient access to microbiological testing and a low awareness of RSV. Infections occur mainly between December and April, however, this pattern has changed following the implementation of preventive measures for coronavirus disease 2019 in the past few years. According to available reports, bronchodilators, antibiotics, corticosteroids, and X-ray imaging have been frequently used. The surveillance system in Poland has limitations, but these may be overcome due to recent changes in healthcare law as well as the availability and reimbursement of diagnostic tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several hundred million people are infected with genital genotypes of the human papillomavirus (HPV) annually in the world. The infections transmitted mainly through sexual routes are usually asymptomatic, but can lead to the development of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, penile cancers, some head and neck cancers and genital warts (condylomas). The fraction HPV-related cancers range from nearly 100% in the case of cervical cancer to several/over a dozen percent in the case of other cancers and diseases. There are no effective drugs against HPV, but prophylactic HPV vaccines are available free of charge in immunization programmes in many countries around the world. In Poland, HPV vaccinations have so far been executed out on the pocket or in free-of-charge, local-governmental prevention programs, but the vaccination coverage of the target population does not exceed 10%. From November 2021, one of the vaccines is available with a 50% reimbursement, work is underway to reimburse the next ones, and the National Oncology Strategy assumes the implementation of the HPV immunization programmes and vaccination of 60% of the teen population by 2028. Three prophylactic HPV vaccines are registered. All of them are safe and their effectiveness in the prevention of diseases caused by vaccine genotypes reaches almost 100%, provided that full post-vaccination immunity is obtained before the contact with the virus. Girls aged 11-13 are the priority target cohort for HPV vaccination in Poland. The implementation of routine, free-of-charge HPV immunization in the Preventive Immunization Program (PIP) for all adolescents should be pursued. Persons over the age of 13 may also benefit from HPV vaccination and should be vaccinated according to product specifications. In addition to free access under the PIP, the key element for the success of the implementation of HPV vaccinations in Poland will be the education of medical personnel and parents of adolescents to be vaccinated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system of unclear aetiology which involves genetic and environmental factors, including infections. Infections in MS patients increase the risk of exacerbation of the disease. It has been shown that preventing infections reduces the risk of MS relapse and quality of life outcome. Over the past 20 years, the number of drugs available for disease modifying therapy (DMT) in MS patients has grown significantly. Some of the DMT may entail an increased risk of infections, including life-threatening ones such as measles... etc. These infections include measles, infections caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), pneumococci and, recently, serious acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Therefore, at the time of MS diagnosis, the patient should be interviewed and screened for prior vaccination and/or serological status prior to starting DMT so that any missing vaccinations can be performed. Most infections can be effectively and safely prevented. Vaccinations should be integral part of the treatment process. They not only prevent life-threatening diseases but also increase the safety of drugs used to change the course of the underlying disease. Some specific recommenadation regarding the use of vaccinations in MS patients treated with DMT are included in summary of product characteristic for particular drugs. Additionally, scientific boards publish guidelines on recommended vaccinations due to changing epidemiological situations with special emphasis on immunocompromised patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Overweight and obesity are frequently present in both women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). This is a limited study regarding the benefits of lifestyle changes, including dietary habits, dedicated to patients with HT and PCOS. Objective.The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of an intervention programme based on the Mediterranean Diet (MD) without caloric restriction and increased physical activity to change selected anthropometric parameters in women with both health conditions. Materials and method. The intervention programme consisted of changing the participants diet towards MD rules and increasing physical activity for 10 weeks according WHO recommendation. The study involved 14 women diagnosed with HT, 15 with PCOS and 24 women from a control group. The intervention programme consisted of educating patients in the form of a lecture, dietary advice, leaflets and a 7-day menu based on MD. During the programme, patients were required to implement recommended lifestyle changes. The mean intervention time was 72 ± 20 days. Nutritional status was analyzed by body composition, degree of implementation of the principles of the MD by using the MedDiet Score Tool, and the level of physical activity by the IPAQ-PL questionnaire. The above-mentioned parameters were evaluated twice, before and after the intervention. Results. The intervention programme consisting in implementing the principles of the MD and increasing physical activity to effect a change in the anthropometric parameters of all groups of women studied; all women had a reduction in body fat and body mass index. A decrease in waist circumference was observed in the group of patients with Hashimoto's disease. Conclusions. An intervention programme based on the Mediterranean Diet and physical activity can be a good way to improve the health of HT and PCOS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pneumococcal infections (Streptococcus pneumoniae) remain a significant epidemiological problem globally. Although an invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), which includes meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia with bacteremia, is the most severe form of pneumococcal infection, the main burden in terms of morbidity and mortality is associated with community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly. The epidemiology of infections caused by S. pneumoniae serotypes can change naturally in time and by universal vaccination implementation. The proportion of infections caused by serotypes not contained in any available vaccines is constantly increasing. These changes stimulate the development of new vaccines and ensure the broadest possible protection against S. pneumoniae infections. There is a need to raise awareness of the burden of pneumococcal disease in adults and the vaccines used for prophylaxis for pneumococcal infection. The article discusses the pneumococcal infection burden in the adult population and the factors that raise the risk of infections. We characterised available vaccines for adults, highlighting the significant differences between the conjugated and unconjugated polysaccharide vaccines. Current epidemiological data on pneumococcal infections in Europe and Poland is presented. The latest 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) is described, and the most recent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations on primary prevention and the current implementation of vaccination against pneumococcal infections in the adult population in Poland are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2022, the National Program for Influenza Prevention coalition will have its 10th anniversary; it is one of Poland's oldest educational initiatives. The National Program for Influenza Prevention was initiated to prevent a further decline and promote influenza prevention in the A(H1N1) post-pandemic years. In this review, we summarize the structure and operational model of the coalition and identify core functional elements that make it a key non-governmental organization involved in the prophylactics of communicable diseases. The coalition-based organization can operate in a complex environment, such as vaccinations requiring scientific, economic, social, and psychological involvement, and communications with different groups. Anchored to the history of the National Program for Influenza Prevention, we review Poland's vaccination landscape changes from the last ten years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for infections mainly affecting the lower respiratory tract in infants and young children after the first exposure. The aim of the study is to show up-to-date information on RSV hospitalization cases in Poland in children aged < 5 years. Methods: A retrospective, population-based study was conducted using data from hospital discharge records of patients hospitalized from 2010–2020. Results: The study group consisted of 57,552 hospitalizations of RSV children. The mean and median ages were 232 (95% CI: 230–234) and 132 (IQR 63–271) days. The mean annual hospitalization rate for patients with RSV infection was estimated to be 267.5 per 100,000, and the highest was observed in children < 1 year (1132.1 per 100,000). The mean annual hospitalization rate was significantly higher in patients living in urban than rural regions (p < 0.001). A statistically significant increase in the number of hospitalizations was observed (p < 0.0001) during the analyzed period. The seasonal pattern was found with the highest rates of hospitalizations in the January–March period. Conclusions: The increasing RSV hospitalization rate requires further research and may be the basis for urgent healthcare measures. The results may be helpful in comparative analyses in the European and global context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive meningococcal disease is a dangerous bacterial infection that often leads to death or permanent disability. Immunization is the best strategy to protect individuals against invasive infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis. The effectiveness of vaccines has been demonstrated in many countries where they have been introduced into national vaccination programs. Meningococcal vaccinations in Poland are recommended in the framework of the National Immunization Program. However, they are not reimbursed, meaning the patient or parent covers vaccination costs. In addition, insufficient public awareness of the disease course and risks associated with meningococcal infection, the need for immunization in the first year of a child's life, the number of doses administered, and the price of the vaccines are barriers to the acceptance and implementation of meningococcal immunization, especially in the youngest children. Recommendations for physicians implementing meningococcal vaccination in children and adults are the result of the work of an expert group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Pharmaceutical care is currently an increasingly common tool facilitating the optimisation of pharmacology. Implementation of pharmaceutical care in collaboration with healthcare units, especially the Primary Health Care (PHC), will result in higher integration of the medical and pharmaceutical professions, resulting in tangible benefits for the patient. Due to this innovative approach, the scope of healthcare services provided by pharmacists has not been thoroughly researched. Objectives. This research investigates the issue of assessing the scope of the services provided within the framework of pharmaceutical care. The paper presents an original concept created by the Medical and Diagnostical Centre in Siedlice, Poland (MCD). Material and methods. The research methodology started with a literature analysis and systematic review. The second stage was brainstorming based on the current practical experiences of the MDC. The research and literature analysis were carried out in electronic databases to identify published studies on the scope of services provided within the framework of pharmaceutical care. Considering the practical and widely discussed nature of the subject, an Internet search was performed as a supplementary strategy to identify articles. The results were then analysed and brainstormed by the managing staff at the MDC. Results. In the research and analysis process, the authors found, named and stated seven types of pharmaceutical services: medication review, medication consultation, pharmaceutical assistance, prophylaxis diagnosis, intervention/urgent visit, patient digitisation, internal pharmaceutical consultation. The above services together comprise the coordinated pharmaceutical care process over a patient. It has been tested in the MDC and is now in the implementation phase. Conclusions. Identification and reinforcement of the scope of the services provided within the framework of pharmaceutical care may have a crucial influence on the quality and effectiveness of patient care. This care is provided by the pharmacy in close cooperation with the ambulatory medical facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several hundred million people are infected with genital genotypes of the human papillomavirus (HPV) annually in the world. The infections transmitted mainly through sexual routes are usually asymptomatic, but can lead to the development of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, and penile cancers, some head and neck cancers, and genital warts (condylomas). The fraction HPV-related cancers ranges from nearly 100% in the case of cervical cancer to several/over a dozen percent in the case of other cancers and diseases. There are no effective drugs against HPV, but prophylactic HPV vaccines are available free of charge in immunization programmes in many countries around the world. In Poland, HPV vaccinations have so far been executed out of pocket or in freeof- charge, local-governmental prevention programmes, but the vaccination coverage of the target population does not exceed 10%. In November 2021, one of the vaccines became available with a 50% reimbursement, work is underway to reimburse the next ones, and the National Oncology Strategy assumes the implementation of the HPV immunization programmes and vaccination of 60% of the teenage population by 2028. Three prophylactic HPV vaccines are registered. All of them are safe and their effectiveness in the prevention of diseases caused by vaccine genotypes is almost 100%, provided that full post-vaccination immunity is obtained before contact with the virus. Girls aged 11--13 years are the priority target cohort for HPV vaccination in Poland. The implementation of routine, free-of-charge HPV immunization in the Preventive Immunization Programme (PIP) for all adolescents should be pursued. Persons over the age of 13 years may also benefit from HPV vaccination and should be vaccinated according to product specifications. In addition to free access under the PIP, the key element for the success of the implementation of HPV vaccinations in Poland will be the education of medical personnel and parents of adolescents to be vaccinated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Influenza constitutes a significant health care burden that can be related to an increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study is to show up-to-date information on influenza hospitalization cases in Poland in children aged <5 years. Methods: The data used in the study were hospitalization records from 2015–2019, which had been gathered in a Nationwide General Hospital Morbidity Study and made available by the National Institute of Public Health. Results: 8565 records of patients with influenza were subject to analysis. The mean and median age of the patients were 2.2 and 2.1 years, respectively. Influenza hospitalization incidence was estimated at 90 per 100,000 person-years (PY) in children aged <5 years. The number of hospitalization cases was significantly higher in patients living in urban regions than in those living in rural regions (97 vs. 77 per 100,000 PY; p < 0.001). The age of patients living in urban regions was significantly lower than the age of patients living in rural regions (2.2 vs. 2.3 years; p < 0.001). A statistically significant increase in hospitalization was observed. Conclusions: The reported increasing trend in hospitalizations indicates the need to take focused measures. Presented data may be useful in comparative analyses in a European context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) can be either invasive or non-invasive. In adults, pneumococcal infections most often occur as pneumonia, one of the leading causes of hospitalisation in these patients in Poland. Multiple factors predispose patients to the severe course of pneumococcal disease, including age, comorbidities, immune disorders and unhealthy behaviours, whereas the accumulation of coexisting conditions leads to risk stacking. Therefore, prophylactic vaccinations should be the preferred form of protection against pneumococcal infections in adults, based on high vaccination effectiveness and a relatively low risk of adverse events. Importantly, the current recommendations need to be updated in the context of epidemiological changes and the registration of new conjugate vaccines. This publication aims to present the current knowledge on the prevention of pneumococcal disease among adults and establish practical recommendations on the appropriate immunisation schedules used in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of hospital-based antiepidemic measures aimed at limiting the spread of symptomatic infections and colonization with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CPE), mainly NDM-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, with particular emphasis on microbiological screening tests. Methods. This retrospective study was based on data from 168 hospitals under the supervision of the Provincial Sanitary and Epidemiological Station in Warsaw, Poland, in 2016–2017. Analysis of the effectiveness of antiepidemic procedures focused on the type of implemented antiepidemic procedures, the number of microbiological screening tests per year, the geographic location of the hospitals (inside or outside Warsaw), the timing of the screening tests (on admission to hospital or 48 hours later), and the results of the screening tests. Results. Rates of proper isolation of patients infected or colonized with an alarm pathogen including NDM-producing K. pneumoniae increased from 38.0% in 2016 to 49.5% in 2017 (p > 0.05). The number of screening tests performed increased by 88% from 68319 in 2016 to 128373 in 2017. The number of epidemic outbreaks of symptomatic infections caused by NDM-producing K. pneumoniae decreased from 11 in 2016 to 7 in 2017 in hospitals in Warsaw, where microbiological screening tests were performed. The number of outbreaks in hospitals outside Warsaw, where the screening tests were not performed or were limited, increased from 8 in 2016 to 24 in 2017. Conclusion. Screening tests increase the chance of detecting colonization by CPE. The implementation of microbiological screening decreased the risk of epidemic outbreaks of symptomatic infections caused by CPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several hundred million people are infected with genital genotypes of the human papillomavirus (HPV) annually in the world. The infections transmitted mainly through sexual routes are usually asymptomatic, but can lead to the development of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, penile cancers, some head and neck cancers and genital warts (condylomas). The fraction of HPV-related cancers ranges from nearly 100% in the case of cervical cancer to several/over a dozen percent in the case of other cancers and diseases. There are no effective drugs against HPV, but prophylactic HPV vaccines are available free of charge in immunisation programmes in many countries around the world. In Poland, HPV vaccinations have so far been executed out of pocket or in free-of-charge, local-governmental prevention programs, but the vaccination coverage of the target population does not exceed 10%. Starting in November 2021, one of the vaccines has been available with a 50% reimbursement, and work is underway to reimburse the next ones. The National Oncology Strategy assumes the implementation of the HPV immunisation programmes and vaccination of 60% of the teen population by 2028. Three prophylactic HPV vaccines are registered. All of them are safe and their effectiveness in the prevention of diseases caused by vaccine genotypes is almost 100% provided that full post-vaccination immunity is obtained before contact with the virus. Girls aged 11–13 are the priority target cohort for HPV vaccination in Poland. The implementation of routine, free-of-charge HPV immunisation in the Preventive Immunisation Program (PIP) for all adolescents should be pursued. Persons over the age of 13 may also benefit from HPV vaccination and should be vaccinated according to product specifications. In addition to free access under the PIP, the key element for the success of the implementation of HPV vaccinations in Poland will be the education of medical personnel and parents of adolescents to be vaccinated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Screening significantly decreases the severity and incidence of conditions, as well as mortality, and therefore can improve the health of the population. Screening in Poland falls below the acceptable level of 45% of organised screening uptake and the recommended level of 65%. Multidimensional factors have been implicated as barriers and facilitators of screening uptake in the primary care setting. This paper summarises the existing evidence on factors influencing screening uptake in a Pap smear for cervical cancer (CC), mammography screening for breast cancer and faecal occult blood test (FOBT) for colorectal cancer (CRC). We performed a literature search in the MEDLINE (PubMed) and EMBASE databases and included articles of any study design published between 2010 and 2020. We also demonstrate the original concept of ‘Ugly Value’, which describes factors that may reduce screening uptake. Primary care practitioners play a vital role in increasing screening rates in the populations and can improve these rates through a variety of systematically implemented strategies and interventions. We determine four areas to improve cancer screening uptake in primary healthcare institutions: data gathering and data use (IT systems, meaningful use of Electronic Health Records to generate reminders, prompting healthcare professionals to refer patients for screening), cost effectiveness (avoiding overuse of screening in low-risk populations), innovative efficient management (use of effective interventions and thoughtful allocation of resources, e.g. engaging nurses into patient navigation instead of assigning them to answer patient concerns about screening by telephone), organisational system (team based, integrated care and patient navigation are ways to improve screening rates). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The competitiveness of contemporary organisations is the foundation of their growth and market operation. Organisational culture, integrating the activities of an organisation with the environment in its own manner, determines the way it adapts to the conditions, and considerably impacts the competitive standing of a business. This is particularly important but, at the same time, increasingly difficult for entities operating on the health care market where goods of the highest order, namely saving life and improving health, are provided. The purpose of this article is to present a theoretical and practical discussion of the essence of the impact of organisational culture on building the competitive advantage of health care providers. The article features both a theoretical discussion based on a literature review and a practical discussion analysing the impact of organisational culture on the competitiveness of the health care provider Corten Medic. Both dimensions of the discussion reveal that organisational culture plays an essential role in building the competitive edge of a company and achieving success. In literature on the subject regarding enterprises operating in the health care sector, little attention is given to the links between organisational culture and the competitiveness of health care providers, although, as demonstrated by the results of this article, they may be highly significant, both for management as well as for patients. The article presents an attempt to define the essence and impact of organisational culture on establishing a competitive advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and objective. Congenital herpes simplex virus infection (cHSV) is a rare entity and may pose a life-threatening disease for the newborns. Due to the public health and clinical importance of cHSV infection in infants, the recent data on this disease in Poland should be investigated. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence and other factors related to cHSV. Materials and method. The study is retrospective, population-based that utilised the hospital discharge records of cHSV patients. Data were obtained from National Institute of Public Health NIH -- National Research Institute in Warsaw, Poland, covering the period 2014-2019. Results. The study group consisted of 1,573 cHSV newborns (841 males and 732 females). Among this group, 70.1% were infants up to 90 days of age and 3.6% were neonates up to 28 days of age. The mean and median age was 98 days (95% CI: 94.5-101.8, SD 74) and 70 days (IQR: 53-104), respectively. Based on the hospital registry the overall average cHSV incidence over the study period was estimated to be 69 per 100,000 live births. The number of cHSV infection fluctuated over the years 2014-2019 with a significant decreasing trend from 2015-2019 (P<0.01). A significantly higher cHSV incidence was observed among patients from urban than rural areas of Poland (88 vs 40/100,000 live births; P<0.001). Conclusions. CHSV incidence may be related to multifactorial conditions for the occurrence of this disease. Further studies on changes in the incidence of cHSV are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]