Irish journal of medical science
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Healthcare workers are at very high risk for SARS-CoV-2 exposure and infection. This study evaluated anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in healthcare workers in a tertiary care hospital and then correlated seroprevalence with confirmed or suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection in this population since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ This study demonstrates that a substantial proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections in healthcare workers may be asymptomatic or subclinical and thus potentially represent a significant transmission risk to colleagues and patients.
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Previous studies have analyzed the capability of skin insertion site culture to predict catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). However, there has been not analyzed its capability to predict primary bloodstream infection (PBSI), that include CRBSI and bloodstream infection of unknown origin (BSIUO). The novel objective of our study was to determine the capability of insertion skin site culture to predict CRBSI and primary bloodstream infection (PBSI), that include CRBSI and bloodstream infection of unknown origin (BSIUO). ⋯ The new finding of our study was that skin insertion site culture had a good negative predicted valued for the prediction of CRBSI and PBSI.
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The Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a 50-70% reduction in acute non-COVID-19 presentations to emergency departments globally. ⋯ COVID-19 has potentiated a significant reduction in acute surgical presentations to our hospital. Patients presenting with acute appendicitis during the pandemic had more severe disease, were more likely to have complications, and were significantly more likely to be managed conservatively when compared to historical data.
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Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an increasingly prevalent and potentially fatal disease with considerable implications if not recognized early and treated promptly. Several disease features contribute to a higher risk profile and adverse outcomes in affected patients. ⋯ Elderly males are inordinately affected by scalp SCC compared to females. Those living further from care exhibited larger tumours at presentation. Data from this study characterize features of SCC of the scalp and provide evidence to suggest that rural isolation may act as a mediator of high-risk presentation and larger tumour size.
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Despite the rapid advance of psychedelic science and possible translation of psychedelic therapy into the psychiatric clinic, very little is known about mental health service user attitudes. ⋯ The majority supported further research into psilocybin therapy. Younger people, those with previous recreational psychedelic experience, and those with non-religious beliefs were more likely to have favourable attitudes towards psilocybin therapy.