Irish journal of medical science
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Rezum technology uses heat from radiofrequency-generated water vapour to ablate prostate tissue. We evaluate the introduction of this thermal therapy to an Irish teaching hospital for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia. ⋯ Rezum, a minimally invasive thermal therapy, provides significantly improved symptom relief and quality of life with a significant cost saving to the institution.
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In response to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Ireland, the government implemented a nationwide stay-at-home order, with the closure of all non-essential businesses. During this period, there was a significant increase in supermarket expenditure. It has been shown that stress, anxiety and boredom are triggers for unhealthy eating habits. Fat consumption is a risk factor for both the development of gallstones and, additionally, the development of acute calculous cholecystitis. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of acute calculous cholecystitis during the nationwide lockdown and compare it to the same period one year prior. ⋯ A statistically significant increase in cases of acute calculous cholecystitis was observed during a nationwide lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is hypothesised that this is due to increased consumption of fatty foods during this period due to stress, anxiety and boredom.
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Otolaryngology (ENT) is a craft surgical specialty, which presents significant challenges for the novice surgical trainee (NST), when managing patients with potentially life-threatening conditions. We assess current evidence behind intensive, simulation-rich training programmes or "boot camps". We outline an ENT emergency-safe boot camp for NSTs and the impact this can have on trainees' competence when dealing with ENT emergencies. ⋯ Study participants expressed an increase in confidence when dealing with specific ENT emergencies, following boot camp training. This correlates with published data. Patient safety should be enhanced, as a result of participation in this dedicated ENT emergency-safe boot camp.
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Limited data exists on the outcomes of COVID-19 patients presenting with altered mental status (AMS). Hence, we studied the characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients who presented with AMS at our hospital in rural southwest Georgia. ⋯ Patients with COVID-19 presenting with AMS are less likely to have typical COVID-19 symptoms, and AMS is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality, need for ICU admission, and need for mechanical ventilation.
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Antipsychotics (APs) increase weight, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Guidelines recommend cardio-metabolic monitoring at initial assessment, at 3 months and then annually in people prescribed APs. ⋯ Targeted improvement strategies resulted in a significant improvement in a limited number of parameters in early and chronic psychotic disorders. Overall, monitoring remained suboptimal.