The Journal of surgical research
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Sleep deprivation, common in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, may be associated with increased morbidity and/or mortality. We previously demonstrated that significant numbers of nocturnal nursing interactions (NNIs) occur during the routine care of surgical ICU patients. For this study, we assessed the quantity and type of NNIs in different ICU types: medical, surgical, cardiothoracic, pediatric, and neonatal. We hypothesized that the number and type of NNIs vary among different ICU types. ⋯ NNIs occur frequently and vary across different ICU types. Many NNIs are due to nursing assessment and patient care activities, much of which could be safely omitted or clustered. A protocol for nocturnal sleep promotion is warranted in order to standardize ICU NNIs and minimize nighttime sleep disruptions.
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Few educational programs exist for medical students that address professionalism in surgery, even though this core competency is required for graduate medical education and maintenance of board certification. Lapses in professional behavior occur commonly in surgical disciplines, with a negative effect on the operative team and patient care. Therefore, education regarding professionalism should begin early in the surgeon's formative process, to improve behavior. The goal of this project was to enhance the attitudes and knowledge of medical students regarding professionalism, to help them understand the role of professionalism in a surgical practice. ⋯ Although medical students interested in surgery may already have well-formed attitudes and sophisticated knowledge about professionalism, this core competency can still be taught to and learned by trainees pursuing a surgical career.
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We undertook the current study to determine the impact of elevated admission systolic blood pressure (SBP) on trauma patients without severe brain injury. ⋯ The admission SBP thresholds that predicted higher mortality for the young and middle-aged were >190 mm Hg and >180 mm Hg, respectively. Elderly trauma patients tolerated higher admission SBP than their younger counterparts and multiple elevated SBP thresholds were associated with significantly reduced mortality in the elderly.
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Although modern therapy for anal canal cancer typically consists of combined chemoradiation therapy (CRT), surgery remains an option for patients with small lesions, for palliative purposes, and for failure of nonoperative management. This study assesses the short-term outcomes of surgical management for epidermoid carcinoma of the anal canal using a large nationwide database. ⋯ Surgical intervention for anal canal cancer remains a necessary option for select patients. Morbidity rates vary significantly based on the type of treatment; operative approach is the primary factor associated with postoperative short-term complications. When surgery is required, recent CRT is not associated with a higher complication rate. With proper perioperative care and surgical technique, mortality rates remain low, and the increased death rate with diversion, even in the short term, likely represents advanced disease.
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Weekend admission is associated with mortality in cardiovascular emergencies and stroke but the effect of weekend admission for trauma is not well defined. We sought to determine whether differences in mortality outcomes existed for older adults with substantial head trauma admitted on a weekday versus over the weekend. ⋯ Older adults with substantial head trauma admitted on weekends are less severely injured, carry less comorbidity, and generate similar total charges compared with those admitted on weekdays. However, after accounting for known risk confounders, weekend patients demonstrated 14% greater odds of mortality. Mechanisms behind this disparity must be determined and eliminated.