Irish journal of medical science
-
Review
Saving lives, limbs and livelihoods: considerations in restructuring a national trauma service.
Level 1 trauma centers reduce mortality and improve functional outcomes in major trauma. Despite this, many countries, including Ireland, do not have officially designated major trauma centers (MTC). This study aimed to examine international trauma systems, and determine how to "best fit" trauma care in a small country (Ireland) to international models. ⋯ Clearly designated and adequately resourced MTCs with trauma networks are needed to improve trauma outcomes, with concomitant investment in pre-hospital infrastructure.
-
Endogenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a proven treatment for varicose veins that has equal efficacy to surgical stripping. It offers the benefit of reduced post operative pain and wound infection and quicker return to work. ⋯ RFA is a safe and effective treatment for varicose veins. There is no benefit in performing routine short term follow-up duplex scan due to the high occlusion rates.
-
Hip fracture is common in the geriatric population. These patients have multiple comorbidities that complicate treatment and recovery such that poor functional outcomes often result. Since functional outcomes are associated with comorbidities and complications it is important to define the contributing factors. ⋯ This study highlights specific patient comorbidities and medical complications that could be used to guide clinical assessment, management and targeted interventions that improve outcomes in this patient group.
-
The goal of this study was to assess the value of the 3-3 rule and the 3-3-1 rule in predicting difficult airways. ⋯ The 3-3 rule and the 3-3-2 rule are similar regarding their ability to predict difficult airways. A HTD less than two fingers or one finger is not predictive of DV or DI.
-
In 2008, we conducted an audit in our general intensive care unit (ICU) which demonstrated a high workload from alcohol-related admissions which represented 12 % of total admissions and 16.8 % of total available bed days at that time. ⋯ There has been a significant reduction in the ICU workload from alcohol-related admissions in our general ICU in the past 5 years.