Irish journal of medical science
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Observational Study
A physiotherapy triage service for orthopaedic upper limb service: an effective way to reduce clinic visits and identify patients for operative intervention.
Waiting times for orthopaedic outpatient clinics are steadily increasing over the past number of years worldwide. Physiotherapy triage clinics are being utilised to improve access for patients with non-urgent or routine musculoskeletal disorders, to be seen in a timely manner in specialised out-patient clinics. Using these clinics, the aim is to ultimately stratify patients into appropriate management pathways. The aim of our study is to review the effectiveness of a physiotherapy triage clinic run by advanced practitioner physiotherapists (APP), who specialise in the review of upper limb referrals from primary care physicians. ⋯ There is a high initial discharge rate after initial assessment by APP triage clinics for upper limb musculoskeletal pathology. This is beneficial in alleviating waiting list pressures allowing only those patients in need of intervention to be placed on the ever expanding waiting lists to see orthopaedic surgeons. This study shows a high proportion of patients being offered surgical intervention after being referred by the APP. We conclude from this that the agreement between the physiotherapist's initial diagnosis and that of the consultant surgeon being similar in identifying patients who would benefit from operative intervention.
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Postgraduate specialty training in Ireland is associated with considerable cost. Some of these are mandatory costs such as medical council fees, while others are necessary to ensure career progression, such as attendance at courses and conferences. In particular, surgical specialities are believed to be associated with high training costs. It is unknown how these costs compare to those borne by counterparts in other specialities. ⋯ This study demonstrated that a career in surgery is associated with higher ongoing costs for higher degrees and courses than counterparts in non-surgical training. All surgical trainees surveyed felt that better financial support should be available. Increasing financial support for may be a tangible way to mitigate against attrition during training.
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Determining how many female patients who underwent breast imaging meet the eligibility criteria for genetic testing for familial pancreatic cancer (FPC). ⋯ About 10.4% of the female patients were classified as being at high risk for FPC. This finding emphasizes the importance of applying criteria to the general population, in order to ensure that individuals with high risk are identified early.
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The present study assesses the diagnostic significance of low ferritin levels in gastrointestinal diseases by evaluating the endoscopic findings of patients with low ferritin levels without anemia. ⋯ Helicobacter pylori gastritis and celiac disease were more commonly observed in association with low ferritin levels. Low ferritin levels without anemia can be an early and silent sign of celiac disease.
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Early onset group B streptococcal (GBS) disease can cause significant neonatal morbidity and mortality. There is currently no Irish national guideline for GBS screening, and protocols vary across maternity units. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing at induction or labour onset informs triage for antibiotic prophylaxis; however, there are human and infrastructural resource requirements to enable widespread implementation. ⋯ One unit (5.2%) performs routine GBS screening at 35-37 weeks of gestation. Twelve units (63%) screen for GBS following spontaneous rupture of membranes (SROM) after 37 weeks, of which two (17%) perform PCR and ten (83%) culture testing. Seventeen units (89.3%) have access to a GeneXpert PCR machine, and of these, two (11.7%) use the machine for rapid GBS testing. Two units screen patients for GBS at either the start of labour or induction of labour. Four units (21%) use the neonatal early onset sepsis (EOS) calculator. Sixteen units (84%) do not treat asymptomatic infants born to GBS-positive mothers. CONCLUSION: There is a lack of consistency in the methods for GBS screening and disease prevention across the country, highlighting the need for a national guideline accompanied by an implementation plan and budget to standardise care.