Clin Med
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By the beginning of July 2009 the West Midlands had seen more cases of novel H1N1 influenza (swine flu) than any other region in the U. K. Over a three-week period almost 850 people presented to Heartlands Hospital with flu-like symptoms. ⋯ Despite increased workload normal clinical services were unaffected. The hospital was not closed to admissions nor was it paralysed by staff absence. With a predicted second wave expected at the end of 2009, efforts to maintain effective community assessment remain crucial.
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Comparative Study
Omission after admission: failure in prescribed medications being given to inpatients.
Prescribing errors are a recognised problem on admission to acute medical wards which may be detrimental to patient care. The authors had anecdotal evidence that prescribed medicines do not always reach patients and the aim of this audit was to quantify this problem. Admission prescription charts on two separate occasions were studied in detail and all drugs prescribed but not given in the first 48 hours were recorded along with the reason given for omission. ⋯ This may lead to increased morbidity and length of stay. Strategies need to be put in place to reduce this problem. The current system that permits omission of medications with inadequate justification must be revised.