Irish journal of medical science
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A prospective analysis of perioperative red blood cell transfusion practice in 110 patients undergoing elective primary total hip arthroplasty was conducted as a part of a quality assessment programme at the National Orthopaedic Hospital. In addition to demographic and clinical data, blood loss and perioperative transfusions were also recorded. Blood was collected for evaluation of haematocrit levels at predetermined intervals (preoperative and 6 h, 1, 2, 3, 7 days, postoperatively). ⋯ Using the criterion of discharge haematocrit of more than 36 per cent, 24 per cent of the patients were overtransfused. As compared to a previous retrospective analysis of blood transfusion in the same patient population which showed that inappropriate transfusion occurred in 45 per cent of the patients, the results from this study suggest a trend towards a more conservative transfusion practice. The improvement in transfusion practice may be due to the ongoing quality assurance programme and the use of transfusion guidelines.
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Since the early 1980s the reports of infection and illness associated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 have increased dramatically worldwide, and particularly in the USA, Canada and UK. The spectrum of disease varies from asymptomatic carriage to haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). This infection is new to Ireland, and we report on 2 cases of isolation which outline the presentation of this organism with haemorrhagic colitis and HUS.