Health Review | January – April 2019

Introduction: The Emergency Department (ED) is the heart of every modern hospital and at all times must provide medical and nursing emergency care, accepting large numbers of patient. However, in many cases patient makes inappropriate use of this department. Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the various factors, which influence the operation of the ED in Limassol General Hospital, and to pinpoint the weaknesses of Primary Health Care in Cyprus. Methods: This was a quantitative research, which was conducted in Cyprus between the months of March and May of the year 2016. An analogue random sampling carried out the sampling of the quantitative research and the research tool used was the Hospital Urgencies Appropriateness Protocol (HUAP). The sample of the study consisted of 501 patients who visited the Emergency Departments. Results: Inappropriately visit the survey found 29,3% of the ED patients. Of these, 21,7% responded that "They do not trust PHC doctors", 47,6% have not been assigned to a PHC practitioner, and 54,4% are staying close to the hospital or believe they will receive better and faster services. 38,1% responded that they are on waiting lists for imaging examinations, for examination by a specialist, and waiting lists for surgical procedures. Conclusion: This research suggests that ED in Limassol General Hospital are unable to respond fully to the needs of their patients because of the ineffective operation of Primary Health Care in Cyprus. It is essential to implement «Healthy» Health Systems with full population coverage, ease of access and establish strong Primary Health Care systems that will inspire confidence in citizens.

Hospitals suffer just the same by certain disasters, thus entering a "victim" state. The disruption of their smooth operation may be due to a serious event of either internal (e.g. fire) or external origin (e.g. earthquake). This paper aims to identify the vulnerability factors of hospitals in the event of disasters that could make the hospital a victim. Following a bibliographic search (PubMed), 31 papers were used as study material. Findings show that electricity, water and communications are major vulnerabilities with significant secondary effects, while generators (more precisely their failure) are the Achilles heel of hospitals. Microbiology, radiology, pharmacy, dialysis, surgery, sterilization, feeding and nutrition departments along with centralized management are the most common departments that prove to be vulnerable. Observed malfunctions, especially in electricity, communications and water supply cause secondary "side effects" that eventually turn into care problems and in many cases may lead to evacuation. Taking into account the time needed to address these failures, it stands to reason that the impact on care is long-lasting. Constructing hospitals in accordance with strict building regulations, preventing problems in generators, water supply and communications, solving co-ordination and co-operation problems, improving disaster plans and offering practical training is effective fields of action. Further research is required both on the impact of disasters on hospitals and on solving the identified problems. Experiences from researchers can help minimize hospital failures and protect society.

Introduction: Medical tourism constitutes a new, fast-growing form of tourism and sector in the services industry. The health tourism “industry” is a parameter of vital importance encouraging individuals to seek healthcare services on an international level. Its annual growth rate in the global market is estimated at 25-35%. Aim-Objective: To investigate how Medical tourism can contribute significantly to the overall development of Cyprus, in the context of a general financial crisis, where new resources are constantly on demand, and to explore its prospects for growth. Material-Methodology: The Delphi method, which is suitable for establishing a convergence in participants' judgements or opinions, was used. It involves two research phases and a series of questionnaires, including multiple rounds. Twenty-two experts from the health and tourism sectors were selected based on their knowledge and experience. Qualitative criteria involving semi-structured interviews were used for the statistical analysis of the data, while quantitative criteria were employed to analyze the participants' responses using the statistical analysis software package SPSS. Percentages, mean values, and standard deviations were calculated. Results: Ninety-six per-cent of respondents converge that this sector should be further developed through comprehensive planning. A hundred per-cent of respondents believe that all relevant stakeholders—who are called upon to participate as coordinators—should collaborate so as to develop marketing strategies, achieve the accreditation of hospitals and improve the quality of the local health services. Conclusion: Important benefits resulting in the strengthening of the local economy are revealed. Further, the need for the development of an upgraded product at a competitive cost, the establishment of parameters concerning the accreditation of the quality of hospitals, as well as the exploitation of the health- care services currently on offer.

The aim of the article is to clarify if vaccination in Greece should remain obligatory, according to the inter- national and national provisions. The cause of this work is the giant expansion of the anti-vaccination movement and the recent outbreak of measles in the country. The consequences of the absence of mass vaccination in Greece are now evident in the society, which is under threat of a measles epidemic. Thus, it is imperative to list the international conventions and the laws of the national Constitution which protect children's health. Based on these provisions, no parent or guardian is allowed to endanger the life and health of children by avoiding vaccination. We detail the already well-known benefits of vaccination, which are validated by new studies, continuously added to the international literature. The sensitization of parents into consistently follow the National Vaccination Program is for the benefit of both their children and the Greek society in general. We propose the implementation monitoring of vaccines at the required time, and stricter state measures towards those parents who systematically avoid vaccination of their children.

Αγαπητοί αναγνώστες, μετά από 29 έτη αδιάλειπτης παρουσίας, σε διμηνιαία περιοδική έκδοση, το περιοδικό «Επιθεώρηση ΥΓΕΙΑΣ» αποτελεί πλέον μία αναγνωρίσιμη εκδοτική οντότητα για το σύνολο σχεδόν των επαγγελματιών του τομέα υγείας. Στα 175 τεύχη, που εκδόθηκαν μέχρι σήμερα, μπορεί κανείς να αναγνώσει την ιστορική και διαχρονική εξέλιξη του Εθνικού Συστήματος Υγείας της χώρας, μέσα από τις πολιτικές υγείας και τις πρακτικές που ακολουθήθηκαν. Σε αυτά τα τεύχη συμπεριλήφθηκαν, επίσης, εξαιρετικά και πρωτότυπα άρθρα ελλήνων επιστημόνων από όλο το φάσμα του τομέα υγείας, γεγονός που αποδεικνύεται από το πλήθος των βιβλιογραφικών αναφορών σε ευρετηριασμένα άρθρα.