Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) is a state university located in Thrissur, Kerala, India. It was established by the Kerala University of Health Sciences Act 2010, for ensuring proper and systematic instruction, teaching, training, and research and also to have uniformity in the various academic programmes in medical and allied subjects in the State of Kerala. The University is mandated to affiliate all Colleges and Institutions in Kerala, imparting professional education in health care. So far 296 professional colleges have been affiliated to the University. The Governor of Kerala serves as the University Chancellor.
Abstract Background Digital transformation in healthcare is guided globally by digital health maturity models and accreditation-linked standards. In India, the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) introduced landmark Digital Health Standards (DHS) for hospitals (2025 draft). This provides a national framework, but its positioning within the complex global landscape is unclear, making it challenging for stakeholders to benchmark progress and plan strategically. Objectives The primary objective was to map the features, domains, and assessment approaches of prominent international digital health maturity models and accreditation-linked standards. The secondary objective was to conduct a comparative analysis of these frameworks against the NABH-DHS to identify areas of convergence, divergence, and critical gaps. Methods A scoping review adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines was conducted. Peer-reviewed databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus) and grey literature sources were searched from inception to 26 July 2025. We included sources describing national or international maturity models or accreditation standards for healthcare provider organizations. Data were charted using a customized form, synthesized narratively (SWiM), and comparatively analysed using a conceptual crosswalk matrix and thematic gap map. Results 38 sources were included, comprising systematic/scoping reviews (n = 8), official reports/standards (n = 17), and primary studies (n = 13). Key international frameworks mapped include HIMSS EMRAM, NHS England’s WGLL, WHO-PAHO IS4H, JCI, and Australian models. The NABH-DHS (structured across 8 chapters) shows strong alignment with these frameworks in core domains: Leadership, Governance, Clinical & Patient Safety, and Information & Data Management. However, the comparative analysis identified emerging gaps vis-à-vis global best practices. These include absent or minimal coverage for explicit AI governance, advanced cybersecurity maturity (e.g., alignment with NIST CSF 2.0), granular interoperability maturity assessment, a dedicated health-equity lens, and the systematic integration of Patient-Generated Health Data (PGHD). Conclusions The NABH-DHS provide a robust and comprehensive foundation for core digital assurance in India, converging well with international best practices on foundational elements. Our mapped findings are presented as external policy guidance. We recommend that future NABH revisions incorporate pragmatic, light-weight requirements to address the identified gaps (AI governance, advanced cybersecurity, interoperability metrics, and equity). This can be achieved through annexes or tiered ‘Digital Plus’ badges that reference mature external frameworks (e.g., ISO/IEC 42001, NIST CSF 2.0), ensuring a future-proof, phased implementation that safeguards patient trust as the Indian digital health ecosystem matures.
Fibrovascular polyps of the esophagus are uncommon, benign intraluminal growths. Their gradual growth and vague symptoms often lead to delays in diagnosis, placing patients at risk for serious complications such as sudden airway obstruction caused by regurgitation. We present a case involving a 56-year-old woman who experienced a two-year history of a foreign body sensation in her throat and a six-month history of an intermittently protruding mass in her mouth. Despite numerous consultations and several indirect laryngoscopic examinations, no abnormalities were identified, resulting in a delayed diagnosis. Dynamic videolaryngoscopy performed during the gag reflex revealed a smooth pedunculated mass protruding into the oral cavity from the right side. Imaging studies showed dilatation of the upper and middle esophagus along with a long intraluminal soft tissue mass. Flexible upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a large polypoidal lesion with a long pedicle originating from the right lateral wall just above the cricopharynx and extending into the esophagus. Surgical treatment was carried out using a combined approach involving tracheostomy, direct hypopharyngoscopy, and left lateral pharyngotomy, allowing safe identification, ligation, and complete removal of the mass. Histopathological analysis confirmed the presence of a giant fibrovascular polyp. The postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient remains symptom-free during follow-up. This case emphasizes the diagnostic challenges associated with giant fibrovascular polyps and highlights the importance of dynamic assessment and prompt surgical intervention to prevent life-threatening complications.
This study evaluated the effects of sodium supplementation on growth, electrolyte balance, and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants. A systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies were conducted using data from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar, including randomized controlled trials and observational studies involving infants born before 37 weeks of gestation. Twelve studies comprising more than 2,800 participants were analysed using random-effects models. Sodium supplementation was associated with improved weight gain and a significant reduction in the risk of hyponatremia (RR = 0.28, 95
Storytelling has returned as a purposeful teaching strategy in nursing education. It offers an alternative to didactic, fact-centred instruction by placing disease knowledge within lived clinical narratives. This narrative review synthesises current evidence on storytelling-based learning, including digital storytelling and narrative pedagogy and its influence on nursing students' disease knowledge, clinical reasoning and professional competence. PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase, ERIC and Google Scholar were searched using Medical Subject Headings and free-text terms combined with Boolean operators. Primary studies, systematic reviews and theoretical papers published in English were included and synthesised narratively. The literature suggests that storytelling-based learning improves retention of pathophysiological and clinical content, strengthens critical thinking and clinical reasoning and supports empathy, communication, professional identity and humanistic caring ability. Digital and simulation-embedded narratives were particularly effective in engaging learners and encouraging reflective practice and narrative pedagogy helped students move from novice thinking toward more expert-like clinical judgement. The evidence is limited, however, by methodological heterogeneity, small samples and inconsistent outcome measures. Overall, storytelling-based learning appears to be a useful adjunct to traditional nursing curricula, linking theory with clinical practice while nurturing the humanistic side of care. Larger, adequately powered trials with standardised outcome measures are needed to establish its long-term effect on clinical competence and patient outcomes.
