Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Aug 2020
Clinical Relevance of Bilateral Pleural Effusion in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism.
The clinical relevance of bilateral pleural effusion (BPE) in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is unclear. ⋯ BPE in patients with acute PE may have significant clinical implications. It may signify serious underlying comorbidities which contribute to higher in-hospital mortality in comparison to both patients with unilateral pleural effusion and patients without pleural effusion.
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Internal medicine journal · Aug 2020
Association between the introduction of a structured form and the quality of diabetes in pregnancy clinic care.
Pregnancy in women with pre-gestational types 1 (T1DM) and 2 (T2DM) diabetes mellitus can be a clinical challenge. This study assessed the association between introducing a structured diabetes in pregnancy proforma, on the quality of medical record documentation and pregnancy outcomes in women with T1DM and T2DM. ⋯ The quality of documentation improved significantly which is likely attributable to the implementation of the proforma. This study supports the use of structured documentation to reduce variation in care and potentially improve pregnancy outcomes.
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Internal medicine journal · Aug 2020
Case ReportsBeneficial effect of awake prone position in hypoxaemic patients with COVID-19: case reports and literature review.
We hereby present two case reports of moderate coronavirus disease patients, suffering from profound hypoxaemia, further deteriorating later on. A schedule pre-planned awake prone position manoeuvres were executed during their hospital stay. Following this, the patients' saturation improved, later to be weaned from oxygen support. Paucity of evidence and data regarding this topic led us to review the concept of awake prone position.
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Internal medicine journal · Aug 2020
Supporting choice: an innovative model of integrated palliative care funded by a private health provider.
The number of Australians dying each year is predicted to double in the next 25 years and there is an urgent need to establish sustainable models for providing high quality end-of-life care. An innovative community care model (Bupa Palliative Care Choices Program or BPCCP) was developed and piloted with the purpose of supporting patients in achieving their choices surrounding end-of-life care. ⋯ This evaluation of an innovative community palliative care intervention indicates that the extra services available to patients support the choice of dying at home and the ability to do so while generating claims cost efficiencies.