Irish journal of medical science
-
Standardised ward treatment rooms have the potential to improve efficiency in performing routine tasks. Our aim was to produce a standardised layout for commonly used equipment using a Lean approach. ⋯ This study demonstrates improved efficiency with a time saving of over 1 min for a very commonly performed ward-based task. Ward-based staff reported reduced frustration and less interruptions following the standardisation and optimisation of treatment room layouts.
-
Inadequate nutrition leads to poor neurodevelopmental outcomes in very low-birth weight infants (VLBWIs). This study aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of early amino acid intake on the neurodevelopmental outcomes in VLBWIs at 20 months of correct age and school age. ⋯ The results of this study revealed that early amino acid intake within 24 h could significantly improve the neurodevelopmental and cognitive outcomes in VLBWIs at 20 months of correct age and school age.
-
A specialist fetal neurosurgical clinic was set up in order to improve patient care in a tertiary referral fetal medicine centre. The clinic provides a targeted clinical service for women diagnosed with fetal neurological abnormalities. The service consists of fetal MRI, fetal ultrasound and joint assessment and counselling from neurosurgery and fetal medicine teams. ⋯ Multidisciplinary antenatal counselling supported with in utero MRI provides families with optimum information to inform them of likely neonatal outcome.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of black seed raisin on some cardiovascular risk factors, serum malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant capacity in hyperlipidemic patients: a randomized controlled trials.
The lipid-lowering properties and antioxidants of the raisins may reduce the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of black seeded raisin consumption on blood pressure (BP), lipid profile, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in hyperlipidemic patients. ⋯ These results suggest that consumption of black raisin which is rich in polyphenolic compounds has beneficial effects on some cardiovascular risk factors especially blood pressure and serum antioxidant capacity in patients with hyperlipidemia.
-
Emergency warning systems (EWS) are becoming a standard of care, but have unproven screening value in early critical illness. Similarly, emergency response team (ERT) care is of uncertain value. These questions are most controversial in mixed patient populations, where screening performance might vary, and intensivist-led ERT care might divert resources from existing patients. ⋯ In a diverse hospital population, most triggering patients did not receive critical care and most critical care transfers occurred without triggering. Triggering was an insensitive screening measure for critical illness, followed by poor outcome. Higher scores predicted higher probability of transfer, but not later mortality, suggesting that EWS is being used as a decision aid but is not a true severity of illness score. Other, non-EWS data are needed for earlier detection and for prioritizing access to critical care.