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Background & objectives: HAV and HEV infections occur chiefly as a result of unhygienic conditions. This study was done to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies to HAV and HEV in patients of acute viral hepatitis. This study will also determine the disease distribution in different age groups. Methods: Serum samples of the patients presenting with jaundice were received in Serology laboratory, Department of Microbiology, B.J.M.C., of the patients admitted in Civil Hospital and outside from nearby PHCs and CHCs. These samples were tested for detection of IgM antibody against HEV and HAV by ELISA. Results and Interpretation: 1045 patients suspected of acute viral hepatitis were studied over a period of 3 months. The seropositivity of HAV was 49, out of which 35 were in the pediatric age group (71.4%). Seropositivity of HEV was 290, out of which 272 were adults (93.7%). Conclusion: HAV and HEV are notifiable diseases under IDSP. This study will help in determining the magnitude of public health problem posed by HAV and HEV. Also it will identify the age associated disease burden. Addressing the public health problems associated with the enteric transmission of viral hepatitis will require implementing stronger measures to prevent fecal contamination of food and water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality in the health care institutions is multifaceted & multidimensional with its core element as the customer's satisfaction. Improvement in the health care services is a long drawn relentless process which can be achieved by implementing a carefully planned Quality Management System. Laboratory services B.J. Medical College & Civil Hospital Ahmedabad, has set its Quality indicators and is monitoring it as a part of continual improvement. One of the Quality indicators is Sample rejection. The laboratory aims to reduce the sample rejections by complying with the standards & recommended guidelines. Methods: This is to monitor & analyze the Sample Rejections as a Quality Indicator for Continual improvement of the Microbiology Department. Primary data collection done before training & secondary data collection done after the training of nursing staff & Resident Doctors. Results: The sample rejection rate of the Microbiology Laboratory in the month of July 2010 was 0.31%. After the training of the nursing staff as well as resident doctors regarding proper collection & transport of samples based on scientific principles, a decreasing trend in the sample rejection rate is observed. i. e. from .31% to 0.11 % in the 13 months duration of study. Conclusion: The implementation of a systematic error-tracking system i.e. monitoring the sample rejections, analysing its trend, taking preventive & corrective actions to reduce the sample rejection rate in daily practice definitely improves the quality of the laboratory results and is a quality indicator for continual improvement of the laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]