Dtsch Arztebl Int
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Despite calls for improved quality and efficiency in medical emergency departments, there exist hardly any quality indicators, and no methods of calculating efficiency have been published to date. The present study illustrates a means of presenting numerical parameters of a medical emergency department and of identifying potential quality indicators. ⋯ Numerical parameters and quality indicators for a hospital emergency department can be presented in transparent fashion. DA and DE can be used as parameters for diagnosis-related and intradepartmental quality assessment.
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Zoonoses were already a subject of intense interest even before the SARS and avian influenza epidemics arose. For many years, chlamydiae have been hypothesized to be important zoonotic pathogens, because of their wide distribution and their infectious cycle. This article provides an overview of the current state of knowledge on this subject. ⋯ There is a considerable need for research on chlamydial infections, especially with regard to the diagnosis and treatment of persistent varieties.
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Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease of adults worldwide. Its incidence rises with age. Both intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors promote its development. In men aged 60 to 64, the right knee is more commonly affected; in women, the right and left knees are affected with nearly equal frequency. ⋯ Osteoarthritis is not yet a curable disease, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. The best treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee is prevention. The goal of therapy is to alleviate clinical manifestations. The therapeutic spectrum ranges from physiotherapy and orthopedic aids to pharmacotherapy and surgery.
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Good vision depends on the normal anatomy and function of the eyelids and orbital structures. The goals of periocular ophthalmic plastic surgery are the anatomical and functional preservation and restoration of the lids, orbits, and periorbital structures when they are affected by congenital or acquired malpositions, defects and mass lesions. In this region, functional and esthetic considerations are closely linked. ⋯ Modern periocular plastic surgery exploits an extensive range of specialized surgical techniques to treat a wide variety of abnormalities and diseases in this region. The success of such procedures depends on thorough knowledge of the complex anatomy and physiology of these structures as well as on the surgeon's expertise in microsurgical techniques.
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Review
Radon in indoor spaces: an underestimated risk factor for lung cancer in environmental medicine.
Occupational medicine has long recognized radon to be a cause of lung cancer, especially among miners working under ground. Until recently, however, little scientific evidence was available about the risk to the general population caused by indoor radon. ⋯ From the point of view of preventive environmental medicine, it is important to identify buildings with high radon concentrations, initiate appropriate measures, and minimize radon exposure, particularly in new buildings.