Irish medical journal
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Traumatic head injury continues to be a major problem facing the pediatric specialists despite efforts to reduce its incidence. Aims of our study were assessment of the incidence of hospital admissions of children with minor head injuries, their treatment and outcome. In this prospective study we included 101 patient with head injury. ⋯ The outcome was good for all patients. We conclude that majority of patients with minor head injury could be supervised and observed at home by a competent care giver. Admitted patients need radiological evaluation, preferably a CT scan.
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The transfer of critically ill patients between hospitals carries significant risk. The Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance Service (MICAS) in Ireland was established in 1996 to provide a ground transfer service between hospitals for critically ill patients. ⋯ There were no patient deaths during transfer. 47% of transfers were between hospitals in the greater Dublin area. 45% were from regional centres to Dublin. 93% of patients required airway intervention before transfer (intubation or tracheostomy) and 32% needed inotropic support during transfer. The MICAS data confirm the demand for interhospital transport of critically ill patients and suggest that transfer using a centralised retrieval system is safe.
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Irish medical journal · Mar 2006
General practice out-of-hours co-operatives--population contact rates.
Since 1998, Irish general practice has developed 11 out-of-hours co-operatives, covering almost 40% of the population. The co-operatives vary in terms of triage mechanisms, treatment centres and domiciliary visits. Out-of-hours consultation rates for the GMS sector of the population (one-third of the population who receive free primary care on the basis of low income) have increased rapidly to 438 consultations/1000 persons/year by 2003. ⋯ Two distinct bands of contact rates emerged - seven of eight rural co-operatives (all with domiciliary services) have a range of 220-300 contacts/1000 persons/year while three urban co-operatives (none of which have integrated domiciliary services) have a range of 70-90 contacts/1000 persons/year. These results are explored in the context of UK and Danish data, with which they compare. The implications of the urban/rural banding are significant and require early further research.
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Irish medical journal · Jan 2006
The impact of ice-skating injuries on orthopaedic admissions in a regional hospital.
Since the opening of a temporary ice-rink in our hospital's catchment area, we have observed an increase in patients requiring in-patient treatment for orthopaedic intervention. The authors performed a prospective analysis of all patients admitted to our unit over a one-month period. Epidemiological data, wearing of protective gear and skater experience were collected. ⋯ There was a significant variation noted in the types of fracture sustained ranging from comminuted fractures of the radial head to spiral fractures of the tibia. The average length of hospital stay was 2.6 days and average time missed from work was 6.1 weeks. This paper highlights the potential serious injuries that can occur in ice-skating and their impact on admissions to our orthopaedic unit.