Oman medical journal
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Oman medical journal · Jul 2015
Nurses Use of Critical Care Pain Observational Tool in Patients with Low Consciousness.
The diagnosis of pain in patients with low consciousness is a major challenge in the intensive care unit (ICU). Therefore, the use of behavioral tools for pain assessment could be an effective tool to manage pain in this group of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effects on pain management by nurses using a critical care pain observational tool in patients with a decreased level of consciousness. . ⋯ Use of the CPOT can increase nurse's sensitivity to pain in non-conscious patients and drive them to track and perform pain management.
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Oman medical journal · Sep 2014
Factors associated with post-surgical delirium in patients undergoing open heart surgery.
The objective of the present study is to determine the incidence of delirium and the associated factors in patients undergoing open heart surgery. ⋯ Diagnosis of cognitive disorders is of utmost value; therefore, further studies are required to clarify the risk factors because controlling them will help prevent delirium.
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Oman medical journal · May 2013
Tuberculous meningitis: a comparison of scoring systems for diagnosis.
Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a major clinical and public health problem, both for diagnosis and management. We compare two established scoring systems, Thwaites and the Lancet consensus scoring system for the diagnosis of TB and compare the clinical outcome in a tertiary care setting. ⋯ There was only moderate agreement between the Thwaites' score and the Lancet consensus scoring systems. There is need to prospectively evaluate the cost effectiveness of simple but more effective rapid diagnostic alogrithm in the diagnosis of TB, particularly in a setting without CT and MRI facilities.
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Traumatic asphyxia, or Perthe's syndrome, is a rare clinical syndrome characterized by cervicofacial cyanosis, petechiae, subconjunctival hemorrhage, neurological symptoms, and thoracic injury. It affects both adults and children after blunt chest traumas. The diagnosis of this condition is based mainly on the specific clinical signs, which should immediately bring to mind the severity of the trauma, the various probable types of pulmonary injuries, and the need for screening and careful assessment of other organs that might also be injured. ⋯ As traumatic asphyxia is a systemic injury, careful assessment of the patient and looking for other injuries is mandatory. Treatment usually involves supportive measures to the affected organs, but surgical intervention may sometimes prove to be an important part of the treatment. Bronchoscopy should be performed for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons because of the associated pulmonary and possible tracheobronchial injuries.
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The aim of this study was to explore the physicians' perspectives and practices in relation to breaking bad news (BBN) to patients. ⋯ Although most of the participating physicians were keen to help their patients, they lacked the essential knowledge and skills for breaking bad news. Thus, they are in need of specific training in this regard.