Postgraduate medical journal
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To evaluate the prevalence and incidence of significant structural heart disease in targeted patients with cardiac symptoms referred by general practitioners (GPs) using open access echocardiography, without prior clinical evaluation by a cardiologist. ⋯ Major structural and functional cardiac abnormalities are common in late middle-aged patients who present to GPs with cardiac symptoms and signs. Reported, unrestricted open access echocardiography enables early detection of significant cardiac pathology and timely intervention may improve cardiovascular outcomes.
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We investigated the association between international normalised ratio (INR) and prothrombin time (PT) levels on hospital admission and in-hospital outcomes in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients. ⋯ High INR at admission was independently associated with death or major disability, death and major disability at hospital discharge in AIS patients and increased PT was also associated with death at hospital discharge.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Prospective pilot study of the Three Good Things positive psychology intervention in short-term stay hospitalised patients.
The 'Three Good Things' (3GT) positive psychology protocol developed at Duke University has been shown to decrease depressive symptoms and emotional exhaustion in healthcare providers. Whether hospitalised patients may also benefit from the 3GT protocol has not previously been explored. ⋯ A journal-based application of the 3GT protocol did not result in a statistically significant improvement in patient's emotional health.