Articles: patients.
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Modern general practice is characterised by increased demand and growing multidisciplinarity, including ring-fenced funding for additional non-clinical roles. For practice receptionists, however, training has remained unchanged for decades despite primary care being under greater pressure than ever, with receptionists becoming a growing focal point for abuse and unprecedented numbers leaving the role. ⋯ Although confident performing administrative tasks, receptionists described uncertainty and anxiety when providing clinically oriented support or managing patients when their requests for appointments could not be met. More appropriate training or professionalisation might improve staff retainment.
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Clinical guidance recommends promoting physical activity during general practice consultations. The frequency and content of physical activity discussions in UK general practice are poorly understood. ⋯ Physical activity advice, following national guidance, was potentially relevant to more than half of GP consultations; GPs delivered advice of varying depth in a third of these consultations. Future work should explore ways of delivering physical activity advice effectively, efficiently, and equitably within the constraints of general practice.
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Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols incorporating multimodal analgesia (MMA) have become increasingly popular for breast cancer surgery. Our study evaluated an ERAS approach that combined nonintubated general anesthesia with thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) as part of the MMA and compared it to traditional general anesthesia (GA). Postoperative outcomes were assessed using numerical rating scale (NRS) pain scores, total analgesic consumption, and nausea and vomiting (PONV). ⋯ Nonintubated general anesthesia with TIVA and MMA using TPVB is a viable and safe alternative for breast cancer surgery. It results in reduced pain scores and analgesic needs compared with conventional GA, with PONV outcomes comparable to those managed with standard intravenous medications.
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To investigate the association between glycemic control, measured by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, and post-operative complications across various procedures, identify the prevalence of patients with undiagnosed prediabetes or diabetes undergoing surgery, and explore whether better glycemic management is associated with reduced short-term postoperative complications. ⋯ Glycemic control significantly impacts morbidity and mortality in surgical patients. A total of 23% of patients were patients with undiagnosed prediabetes or diabetes, underscoring the importance of preoperative HbA1c screening for all patients. Both very low and very high HbA1c levels should be preoperatively addressed, with moderate control (HbA1c 7-8%, 53-64 mmol/mol) identified as optimal. Overall, these findings emphasize the need for personalized diabetes management plans tailored to each patient's needs and should inform clinical guidelines.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2025
Integrating regional blocks into Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols for cesarean delivery: optimizing postoperative recovery.
This review aims to synthesize the current literature on the use of regional blocks to enhance and optimize postoperative recovery after cesarean delivery, highlighting key strategies, challenges, and emerging trends. ⋯ Managing pain after cesarean delivery continues to pose a significant challenge. The overall prevalence of acute postoperative pain remains high (58%) and, even when strict adherence to established guidelines is ensured, approximately 25% of patients report inadequate pain control. Within a multimodal analgesic framework, when neuraxial morphine - still considered the gold standard - is not an option, the use of peripheral nerve and fascial plane blocks has demonstrated clear benefits. Recent literature suggests that quadratus lumborum block may serve as a promising alternative to intrathecal morphine for women who cannot tolerate opioids. Additionally, incorporating certain regional techniques alongside neuraxial morphine may further improve postoperative analgesia, especially for patients at high risk of severe postoperative pain and those who have contraindications to other analgesic modalities.