Irish journal of medical science
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Bilateral joint arthroplasty is currently not common, but its usage is expected to increase in the future. This may result in larger amounts of opioids being consumed by patients due to anticipated increased pain and prolonged recovery from this procedure. ⋯ We recommend the use of perioperative steroids in bilateral THA to reduce the consumption of potentially problematic opioid-based analgesics.
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Women diagnosed with substance use disorders (SUDs) have higher rates of major medical conditions compared to women without SUDs. Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women aged 20-39 years worldwide and women with SUDs have an increased risk of cervical cancer compared to women without SUD. The National Drug Treatment Centre (NDTC) cervical screening programme, derived from the national CervicalCheck programme, offers free cervical screening to patients attending for treatment of SUDs. ⋯ This completed audit cycle shows that an awareness-raising educational intervention can significantly improve adherence to a cervical screening programme in women with SUDs.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in radical changes in the delivery of healthcare worldwide. Our oncology service (at an Irish national cancer centre) rapidly transitioned to the use of telemedicine or virtual clinics (VC) to minimise potential risk of exposure to COVID-19 amongst an immunosuppressed, high-risk population. Our study aimed to evaluate the use of VC in this setting. ⋯ The majority of oncology patients were satisfied with a VC encounter. VC may have a role in the future of medical care in Ireland post the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized trial to compare procalcitonin and C-reactive protein in assessing severity of sepsis and in guiding antibacterial therapy in Egyptian critically ill patients.
Procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are the main used biomarkers for sepsis and in guiding antibiotic therapy, although PCT high cost limits its use in developing countries. ⋯ PCT is a more accurate diagnostic and prognostic biomarker than CRP in patients with sepsis. PCT significantly shortened patients' exposure to antibacterial therapy and hospital length of stay.