Irish journal of medical science
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The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic caused severe disruption to scheduled surgery in Ireland but its impact on emergency abdominal surgery (EAS) is unknown. ⋯ Significant improvements in patient flow following admission for EAS during the pandemic were observed. These changes were not associated with greater mortality nor increased readmission rates and offer important insights into optimal delivery of EAS services.
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Patients presenting with chest pain may or may not be experiencing a panic attack. Is chest pain caused by a panic attack or myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) syndrome? ⋯ Clinicians should pay attention to the patient's age, gender, number of attacks per week, HEART score, and which symptoms (palpitations, shortness of breath, and fear of death) are present in patients who meet the panic attack diagnostic criteria. Clinicians should be alert to the MINOCA syndrome in panic attack patients.
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Pneumococcal diseases (PN) and herpes zoster (HZ) are preventable infections in the adult population. ⋯ The public obtain information on vaccines from friends and family members, which may result in misinformation and inappropriate behaviour in vaccination. Although educational sessions provided by pharmacists did not increase the actual vaccination rates for PN and HZ, public willingness to vaccination has increased.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how maternity care services are provided worldwide. To contain the virus, many providers reduced the number of face-to-face visits for women. In addition, partner attendance was prohibited in many circumstances to protect staff, and other service users, from potential infection. ⋯ The pandemic caused additional anxiety for pregnant women. This was exacerbated by uncertainty about the effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy and unclear messaging about restrictions. More interactive and personalized communication is required to support women to cope with uncertainty during a pandemic. The birth partner plays an important role as an advocate for women and excluding them from pregnancy care caused additional anxiety for pregnant women. Containment strategies for a pandemic should be developed with this in mind, to view the family as a unit rather than the woman in isolation.
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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults have been prioritized in public health campaigns to limit social interactions and 'cocoon' in their homes. This limits the autonomy of older people and may have unintended adverse consequences. ⋯ Adverse consequences of 'cocooning' were commonly expressed amongst older adults. Public health policy should take into account the heterogeneity of this population and be sensitive to their self-expressed wishes and priorities.