The Journal of surgical research
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Surgical safety programs have been shown to reduce patient harm; however, there is variable compliance. The purpose of this study is to determine if innovative technology such as Quick Response (QR) codes can facilitate surgical safety initiatives. ⋯ QR codes accurately transmit patient information during the time-out procedure and are preferred to the current process by surgical team members. The novel application of this technology may improve compliance, accuracy, and outcomes.
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Patients traditionally recover overnight on a general surgery ward after a thyroidectomy; however, these units often lack the efficiency and focus for rapid discharge, which is the goal of a short-stay (SS) unit. Using an SS unit for thyroidectomy patients, who are often discharged in <24 h, may reduce the duration of hospital stay and subsequently decrease associated costs and increase hospital bed and resource availability. ⋯ A designated short-stay hospital unit is an effective model for increasing the efficiency of discharge for thyroidectomy patients compared with those admitted to a general surgery ward. It also serves to increase bed availability, which decreases hospital cost and may improve patient flow.
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Hemorrhagic shock is a leading cause of death following severe trauma, and platelet transfusions are frequently necessary to achieve hemostasis. Platelets, however, require special storage conditions, and storage time has been associated with loss of platelet quality. We hypothesized that standard storage conditions have a deleterious effect on platelet mitochondrial function and platelet activation. ⋯ Platelet mitochondrial respiratory function and activation response decrease significantly in platelets stored for 3 d or more. Because platelet transfusions almost universally occur between the third and fifth day of storage, our findings may have significant clinical importance and warrant further in vivo analysis.
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The goal of this study was to determine if ventral hernia defect length, width, or area predict postoperative pain and quality of life following ventral hernia repair (VHR). ⋯ Patients undergoing laparoscopic or open VHR with large defect widths and total area have a greater chance of pain and activity limitation at 1-mo follow-up, but not long term. Large defect lengths are associated with increased early and chronic discomfort in open VHR only.
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The care of the critically ill trauma patients is provided by intensivists with various base specialties of training. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of intensivists' base specialty of training on the disparity of care process and patient outcome. ⋯ Intensive care unit teams collaborating with trauma surgeons had minimal disparity of care processes and similar patient outcomes regardless of intensivists' base specialty of training.