https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14356/1565 2026-04-04T08:33:46Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14356/1677 Title: Application of Ultraviolet Light in Dental Identification of Avalanche Victims Authors: Agrawal, Nitin Kumar; Dahal, Samarika; Wasti, Harihar; Soon, Alistair Abstract: Abstract In any disaster, it becomes important to identify the deceased for ethical, social and legal causes.Out of the numerous methods of identification, dental comparison is considered to be one of the scientific methods in a Disaster Victim Identification process. The two victims of avalanche in Nepal were identified using dental comparison. The two bodies brought for examination were unidentifiable visually. To aid identification of tooth coloured restorations, ultraviolet light was used. The ultraviolet light made the tooth coloured restorations appear distinct from the adjacent tooth structure in one of the cases. This helped in post-mortem charting of dental examination with greater accuracy. When the ante-mortem dental records and the post-mortem dental findings were compared, positive identification was made for both the cases. The bodies were then handed over to their respective kin. These cases highlighted the importance of ultraviolet light in post-mortem dental examination and the significance of forensic dentistry in identification process. Keywords: Disaster Victim Identification; forensic dentistry; Nepal; ultraviolet light. Description: Case Report 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14356/1676 Title: Dentists in Nepal: A Situation Analysis Authors: Shrestha, Rabindra Man; Shrestha, Sujita Shrestha; Kunwar, Nischal Abstract: Abstract Background: Human resource data is essential for planning and implementation of health care delivery system. However, very few information is available on dental health human resource in the country. The aim of study was to assess the number of dentists in the country and to explore their distribution according to demographic and professional characteristics. Methods: A census was performed during July 2015 to July 2016 about the Nepali dentists. The study assessed demographic and professional characteristics of dentists including age, gender, ethnicity, education attainment, university, country/year of graduation, and work place using data collection sheet by trained data collectors. For those not accessible for direct contact, the information was obtained through secondary data. Data entry was done in CSPro software application and was analyzed in SPSS 20. Results: The total number of registered Nepali dentists was 1803 with 419 specialists until June 2015. The male to female ratio was 1:1.46. Among all; 1318 (73%) were present in the country, 1047 (58%) were professionally active, and 1366 (76%) were below the age of 35 years. Among the professionals; 831 (79%) were employed in private sector and 601 (57%) worked in Kathmandu valley. Conclusions: The dentist-population ratio is decreasing exponentially in capital and major cities of Nepal however it remains very high in rural areas. Compared to other provinces,Province 6 and Province 7 lack service of dentists. Keywords: Census; dentist; dentist-population ratio; human resource; specialist. Description: Short Communication 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14356/1675 Title: Reporting of Medical Errors in Autopsied Cases Authors: Sah, Bikash; Yadav, B. N; Jha, Shivendra; Ayer, Ashok; Yadav, Ajay Kumar Abstract: Abstract This report describes the cases autopsied at B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences- Nepal, during the period of two years in which the treatment provided falls below the accepted standard practice causing the death of the patient. Postmortem examination provides an opportunity to find out the actual cause of death in which the cause of death is suspicious. Sometimes the cause of death found through postmortem examination is different from the clinical cause of death. The autopsy finding on the cause of death will help doctors even to think about unusual conditions that lead to death and hence apply preventive measures for those unusual conditions. The cause of medical error is not always due to the doctor’s mistake, but sometimes also due to the obsolete hospital protocol. The autopsy reporting of medical errors can be used to identify lacunae in hospital protocols, problem-prone clinical processes and suggest interventions that may reduce negligence. Keywords: Death; ectopic pregnancy; medical error; vacuum extraction delivery. Description: Case Report 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14356/1674 Title: Availability of Life Support Equipment and its Utilization by Ambulance Drivers Authors: Acharya, Rija; Badhu, Angur; Shah, Tara; Shrestha, Sharmila Abstract: Abstract Background: An effective ambulance is a vital requirement for providing an emergency medical service. Well-equipped ambulances with trained paramedics can save many lives during the golden hours of trauma care. The objective was to document the availability and utilization of basic life support equipment in the ambulances and to assess knowledge on first aid among the drivers. Methods: Descriptive design was used. Total of 109 ambulances linked to B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences were enrolled using purposive sampling method. Self- constructed observation checklist and semi structured interview schedule was used for data collection. Results: More than half of the respondents had less than five years of experience and were not trained in first aid. About two-third of the respondents had adequate knowledge on first aid. About 90% of the ambulance had oxygen cylinder and adult oxygen mask which was ‘usually’ used equipment. More than half of ambulance had equipment less than 23% as compared to that of national guidelines. There was significant association of knowledge with the experience (p = 0.004) and training (p = 0.001). Availability of equipment was associated with training received (p = 0.007),organization (p= 0.032)and district (p = 0.023) in which the ambulance is registered. Conclusions: The study concludes that maximum ambulance linked to BPKIHS, Nepal did not have even one fourth of the equipment for basic life support. Equipment usually used was oxygen cylinder and oxygen mask. Majority of driver had adequate knowledge on first aid and it was associated with training and experience. Keywords: Availability; knowledge; utilization. Description: Short Communication 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z