Dr. Ernst Wodak (1891-1962) was one of the most important figures of early European vestibulology. Although he was born in Moravia and received his medical education in Prague, his name is now almost unknown in Czech medical literature. This article provides a comprehensive overview of his life and career - from his studies at the University of Vienna and the German University in Prague, his work at the Otiatric-Rhinological Clinic under professor Otto Piffl, and his scientific achievements and international recognition in interwar Europe, to his emigration from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia and his subsequent work in Palestine and later Israel. Wodak made a fundamental contribution to the development of diagnostic methods of the vestibular system, published more than 200 scientific papers, and became a respected member of CORLAS. Despite his worldwide professional reputation, he did not find adequate academic opportunities in Israel, and his later years were marked by severe illness and social isolation. The aim of this article is to highlight his remarkable contributions, place them within their historical and social context, and restore this important figure to his rightful place in the history of otorhinolaryngology in Bohemia.
The life story represents a useful tool that enables people living with dementia to better preserve their identity and sense of continuity, that is, the connection between who they were and who they still are. At the same time, they provide care providers with a deeper understanding of the needs and values of people with dementia and enable the provision of care that is truly individualized, sensitive, and respectful. In practice, information from life stories is used as a valuable source of knowledge for care planning. However, this approach raises several ethical questions. Who has the right to tell the story? Who decides on its form and content? The aim of this article is therefore to reflect on the aspects of working with life stories in relation to the dignity and autonomy of people with dementia.
The advance directives institute represents a legally established instrument that allows patients to define their wishes and preferences regarding the provision of health care in advance, for situations in which they lose decision-making capacity. Although advance directives have been part of the Czech legal framework since 2012, their practical use remains limited and systematic data on their implementation are lacking. The aim of this article is to summarize available knowledge regarding the awareness of the Czech public and healthcare professionals about advance directives, identify the main barriers to their use, and place these findings in the context of current debates about end-of-life decision-making.
A nuclear power plant accident or the use of a nuclear weapon represents a serious crisis situation requiring a rapid and coordinated response by all components of the Integrated Rescue System, public administration authorities, and other institutions involved in civil protection. The primary objective of the emergency response is to minimize the health effects of ionizing radiation and radionuclides on the population and to reduce the risks of long-term environmental contamination. An essential prerequisite for the effective management of such an event is adequate awareness and professional preparedness of all participating entities. This professional publication provides a comprehensive overview of the acute management of a radiological emergency of the nature of a radiation accident. The text is based on the principles of the crisis management system of the Czech Republic, national emergency response plans, and current knowledge in radiation medicine and radiation protection. It focuses on the role and activities of the Integrated Rescue System at the incident site, including coordination of response operations and implementation of protective measures for population protection. Furthermore, it addresses the prediction of the health effects of ionizing radiation and radioactive contamination, as well as the possibilities for minimizing their impact on the exposed population.
Therapeutic antibiotic monitoring allows for the assessment of whether the chosen dosage leads to the achievement of the desired pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) indices in a specific patient. The modern concept of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) goes beyond merely comparing to the therapeutic range and emphasizes the determination of an individual therapeutic target. Knowledge of PK/PD indices: Cmax/MIC, AUC/MIC, and fT>MIC is crucial for optimizing treatment and minimizing the risk of toxicity. TDM is a tool of personalized pharmacotherapy. TDM represents a process and includes individual steps, the implementation of which into routine practice contributes to the rationalization and safety of antibiotic therapy.
