Safety evaluation of adenovirus type 4 and type 7 vaccine live, oral in military recruits

Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are defined as infections of the lower urinary tract (i.e., the urethra (urethritis) or the bladder (cystitis). They are most common among young adults, especially women. In addition to female gender, risk factors include sexual activity, use of diaphragms or spermicidal agents, changes in vaginal flora, menopause, and structural abnormalities of the urinary tract.1 The most common cause of UTIs is urinary tract contamination with fecal bacteria such as Escherichia coli. Symptoms include painful, frequent urination; cloudy, foul-smelling urine; and mild abdominal pain. Most infections are easily treated with antibiotics. If left untreated infections may ascend up the urinary tract to involve the kidneys leading to acute pyelonephritis.

Syncope

Syncope (fainting) is a transient, self-limited loss of consciousness due to a sudden reduction of blood flow to the brain. The episode is usually accompanied by an individual’s inability to maintain postural tone followed by spontaneous recovery. Most cases of syncope are benign; however, the symptom may suggest a cardiac or vascular etiology or foreshadow a life-threatening event in a small subset of patients. Syncope is primarily evaluated with history and physical exam; no laboratory tests are absolutely indicated. Syncope is relatively common, even among young, healthy adults such as military members. Situations that are associated with syncope in members of the U.S. Armed Forces include invasive medical procedures (such as blood donations, other venipunctures, and immunizations), standing for long periods (such as in military formations or waiting lines), and physically demanding training or exercise, especially in hot environments.

Meningitis; Viral

Meningitis refers to inflammation of the membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis caused by infection. Viral meningitis is often less severe than bacterial meningitis and most individuals recover in 7-10 days without specific treatment. Non-polio enteroviruses (members of the subgenera coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and enteroviruses) are the most common causes of viral meningitis. Symptoms are similar to bacterial meningitis, sudden onset of fever, headache and stiff neck, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and altered mental status. Diagnostic evaluation is focused on ruling out bacterial infection. Investigative tests may include viral serology and cultures of blood, feces, and throat, brain imaging, and testing of cerebrospinal fluid if symptoms do not improve. Treatment of viral meningitis is primarily symptomatic support.

DoD PSP Learning Update July August 2016

The Learning Update delivers an upcoming schedule of DoD PSP and other patient safety activities, tools and resources to help you increase your patient safety knowledge and skills. This edition highlights upcoming patient safety activities July and August 2016.

Gonorrhea; Final

Gonorrhea refers to the infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcus).

Syphilis, Final

Syphilis is a systemic, sexually transmitted, disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.

Bacterial Meningitis

Meningitis is a serious, potentially life-threatening, infection of the membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord.. The leading causes of bacterial meningitis in the United States are Streptococcus pneumoniae, group B Streptococcus, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Listeria monocytogenes; causes vary by age group. Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache and stiff neck, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and altered mental status. Laboratory testing of blood and cerebrospinal fluid is required for diagnosis and bacteria identification followed by immediate treatment with antibiotics. For prevention, vaccines are available and recommended for three types of meningitis causing bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

810CAFfolder CAF 6 Sided Folder Coversheets

Competency ASSESSMENT FILE 6-sided Folder Coversheets

DoD Patient Safety Program Learning Update June 2016

The Learning Update delivers an upcoming schedule of DoD PSP and other patient safety activities, tools and resources to help you increase your patient safety knowledge and skills. This edition highlights upcoming patient safety activities June and July 2016.

Competency Assessment File

A competency assessment file (CAF) is used to record information related to individual competence for non-privileged healthcare personnel with patient contact. It is a six-section file (National Stock Number 7530-00-990-8884), or electronic equivalent, similar to that used for Provider Credential Files. It is also known as the 6-sided training folder or Competency Based Orientation File (CBO).

Malignant Melanoma; Skin

Malignant melanoma is a life threatening cancer of pigment producing cells (melanocytes). Melanocytes are distributed throughout the outer layer of the skin; in response to UV radiation (e.g., sunlight), they produce a pigment (melanin) that darkens the skin. When melanocytes become malignant, they can spread throughout the body, including to vital organs. In the U.S., malignant melanoma is the most lethal skin cancer and among the leading causes of cancer overall.

Helminthiases

Helminths, are parasitic worms that infect animals and humans worldwide. There are two major phyla of helminths. The nematodes (roundworms) include the major intestinal worms (soil-transmitted helminths) and the filarial worms that cause lymphatic filariasis (LF) and onchocerciasis. The phylum of platyhelminths (flatworms) includes the flukes (trematodes), such as the schistosomes, and the tapeworms (cestodes), such as the pork tapeworm that causes cysticercosis. Soil-transmitted helminth infections are among are the most common. These helminths live in the intestine and their eggs are passed in the feces of infected persons and animals. Clinical features vary by helminth species, intensity of infection and age of host. Many species cause abdominal pain, malnutrition and weight loss and may or may not cause gastroenteritis. Filariasis is transmitted to humans through the bite of a mosquito. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, and skin lesions in the early stages and, if untreated, enlargement of the limbs and genitalia in a condition called elephantiasis. With the exception of Strongyloides stercoralis, helminths do not replicate within the human host. Diagnosis of helminth infections are based on clinical symptoms and laboratory testing of stool and blood specimens. Treatment is with antibiotics or antihelminths specific for the parasite. Prevention of these infections varies according to the mode of transmission i.e., avoidance of contaminated food, water, soil, and mosquito bites).

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic digestive disorder that usually results from a weak lower esophageal sphincter. This defect allows the contents of the stomach to inappropriately flow backward into the esophagus causing symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, chest pain, regurgitation and difficulty swallowing. Risk factors for GERD include excess body weight, hiatal hernia, smoking, pregnancy, and diabetes. To reduce the symptoms of GERD, management includes lifestyle changes (e.g., losing weight, avoidance of acid-inducing foods and eating smaller meals) and medications. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is common in Western countries with a prevalence of 10%-20% and an incidence rate of approximately 5 per 1,000 person-years.

DoD Patient Safety Program Learning Update May 2016

The Learning Update delivers an upcoming schedule of DoD PSP and other patient safety activities, tools and resources to help you increase your patient safety knowledge and skills. This edition highlights upcoming patient safety activities in May, June, and July 2016.