Irish journal of medical science
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The true incidence of sepsis in surgical cohorts in Ireland remains unclear. According to inpatient audits, patients in surgical diagnostic groups (DRG) who developed sepsis had a longer length of stay and higher mortality rate compared with medical DRG patients who developed sepsis. ⋯ Sepsis was under-documented, and barriers exist with use of the national sepsis screening form. Frailty, which is a sepsis risk factor, should be assessed pre-operatively to maximise prevention.
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Patellar instability is a disabling condition that limits the functional ability and physical aspirations of patients. There are multiple anatomical structures which stabilize the patella and surgical treatment is tailored to repair the underlying aetiology. ⋯ Patellar stabilization surgery is an effective method of treating patellar instability, resulting in stability of the knee in 94.4%. Despite this, patient dissatisfaction rates are quite high suggesting that this patient group, whilst mostly stable, remains significantly symptomatic from their knee. These positive results which are reflected in the recent literature represent a strong case for consideration of primary surgical stabilization in cases of patellar instability.
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COVID-19 required rapid innovation in health systems, in the context of an infection which placed healthcare professionals at high risk; general practice has been a key component of that innovative response. In Ireland, GPs were asked to work in a network of community assessment hubs. A focused training programme in infection control procedures/clinical use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was rapidly developed in advance. University departments of general practice were asked to develop and deliver that training. ⋯ Academic departments, GPs and the Irish health system collaborated effectively to respond to the need for community assessment of COVID-19 patients.
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Determination the relationship between the epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EATT) and pericoronary adipose tissue thickness (PATT) and the risk of significant coronary artery diseases (CAD) using the coronary artery calcium score (CACS). ⋯ There is a positive relationship between the risk of a significant CAD estimated based on the coronary artery calcium score and the epicardial adipose tissue thickness.
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In January 2020, the WHO declared the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak a public health emergency; by March 11, a pandemic was declared. To date in Ireland, over 3300 patients have been admitted to acute hospitals as a result of infection with COVID-19. ⋯ We demonstrate the implementation of an integrated multidisciplinary approach to patients with COVID-19, identifying those with increased physical and mental healthcare needs. Our initial experience suggests that significant physical, psychological, and cognitive impairments may persist despite clinical resolution of the infection.