Irish journal of medical science
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A full set of pre-operative bloods is being done on nearly all trauma patients who are admitted to our institute for surgery-regardless of variables such as patient age, injury sustained, or co-morbidities. This leads to unnecessary bloods being taken. ⋯ We have demonstrated that an excessive amount of unnecessary pre-operative bloods have been taken using the current blood schedule. A pragmatic pre-operative blood schedule can lead to significant actual cost savings.
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Ending tuberculosis (TB) is a global priority and targets for doing so are outlined in the World Health Organization (WHO) End TB Strategy. For low-incidence countries, eliminating TB requires high levels of wealth, low levels of income inequality and effective TB programmes and services that can meet the needs of people who have not benefited from these and are still at risk of TB. In Ireland, numerous reports have noted a need for more funding for TB prevention and control. ⋯ Given the estimated cost, Ireland's current prospects of eliminating TB and the tendency towards programmatic funding internationally, greater investment in TB prevention and control in Ireland is justifiable. A national elimination strategy with actions at the levels of the social determinants of health, the health system and the TB programme should be funded.
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Studies published from hospitals in other countries have reported rates of between 69 and 90% of cataract referrals being listed for surgery (1-3). This potentially represents unnecessary outpatient appointments, time off work and transport costs for patients and carers (2). ⋯ It is possible that an appropriately focussed referral form will aid in triaging cataract referrals and potentially reduce unnecessary appointments.
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Investigate the survival and risk factors that affect the survival of aged patients in a palliative care center (PCC). ⋯ EN via PEG was found to be a positive factor affecting survival rates of older adult patients in palliative care, whereas malignity, high neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, high CRP and ferritin levels, and prolonged hospital stays were negative risk factors.
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Adverse events (AE) are an inevitable reality in healthcare, with an incidence of 7.5-14.1% worldwide. AEs are recognised to cause psychological and emotional distress in healthcare workers, with surgeons being particularly susceptible. We report the first data on the emotional impact in relation to adverse events in surgeons in the Republic of Ireland (ROI). ⋯ Surgical trainees report negative psychological and emotional responses that are consistent with second victim symptoms. Those surveyed felt that their training could better prepare them for the personal impact of such events.