International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2018
Demand management of weekend haematology and clinical biochemistry requests.
Increasing demand for laboratory testing at weekends is common but little is known about its appropriateness. ⋯ A large number of unnecessary common tests seem to be carried out at weekends as part of the routine care. Implementation of demand management through education and if necessary electronic limitation of requests may be useful to control laboratory workloads.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2018
Periodontal disease in adults with diabetes, prevalence and risk factors. Results of an observational study.
We sought (a) to assess the association between periodontal disease and diabetes, controlling for socio-demographic characteristics, comorbidities, oral health status and lifestyle variables; (b) to identify which of these variables are independently associated with periodontal disease among diabetes sufferers. ⋯ Diabetes subjects have an increased likelihood of periodontal disease. Dentists and physicians should increase their awareness with their diabetic patients, especially those with lower educational level, with missing teeth, osteoporosis and depression.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2018
Antimicrobial stewardship intervention for the clinical pathways improves antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgical or non-surgical invasive therapies.
The standard duration of administration of antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgery and non-surgical invasive therapy was shortened according to the promotion of appropriate use. Here, we conducted an intervention to optimise antimicrobial prophylaxis by revising all relevant clinical pathways based on the most recent guidelines. ⋯ Our findings suggest that revising all relevant clinical pathways was highly effective in reducing antibiotic consumption and shortening the antibiotic administration period without increasing the incidence of SSIs.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2018
Observational StudyIncidence and outcomes of long QTc in acute medical admissions.
Prolonged QT interval on electrocardiogram (ECG) increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmia. Patients admitted to acute medical units (AMU) may be at risk of QT prolongation from multiple, recognised risk factors. Few data exist regarding incidence or outcomes of QT prolongation in acute general medical admissions. The aims were to determine the incidence of Bazett's-corrected QT (QTc) prolongation upon admission to AMU; the relationship between QTc and inpatient mortality, length of stay and readmission; proportion with prolonged QTc subsequently administered QT interval-prolonging drugs. ⋯ QTc interval prolongation is frequent among patients admitted to AMU. QT interval-prolonging drugs are commonly prescribed to patients presenting with prolonged QTc but whether this affects clinical outcomes is uncertain.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2018
Comparative Study Observational StudyDisease progression after ablation for atrial flutter compared with atrial fibrillation: A nationwide cohort study.
The aim of this study was to study the risk of death and development of arrhythmia and/or subsequently heart failure after an atrial flutter ablation procedure compared with an atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedure. ⋯ There was a higher mortality risk after atrial flutter ablation procedures compared with patients undergoing AF ablation. Rates of heart failure and further renewed (non-AF) arrhythmia management were higher in atrial flutter.