Irish journal of medical science
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Review Meta Analysis
Prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy for closed laparotomy wounds: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
Surgical site infections are a common source of post-operative morbidity and contribute significantly to healthcare costs. Patients undergoing emergency laparotomy and/or bowel surgery are particularly at risk. Prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been shown to reduce wound infection. ⋯ Both skin dehiscence and fascial dehiscence were slightly higher in the standard dressing group ((4.2%, n = 11/263 versus 3.1% (n = 8/261) and (0.9% (n = 3/324) versus 0.6% (n = 2/323)), respectively. This study observed that NPWT reduces the overall SSI for closed laparotomy wounds. It supports data recommending the use of prophylactic NPWT dressings, especially in high-risk patients in both emergency and elective circumstances.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Reminiscence therapy-based care program relieves post-stroke cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression in acute ischemic stroke patients: a randomized, controlled study.
Cognitive and mental impairments are common health problems in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. In this study, we aimed to assess the benefit of a reminiscence therapy-based care (RTBC) program on cognitive impairment restoration, anxiety, and depression reduction in AIS patients. ⋯ RTBC could help reduce cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression in post-stroke management for AIS patients.
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Dysphagia is common in children born prematurely or those with neuromuscular conditions or airway malformations. Few studies have reported on children with isolated dysphagia and there is significant variation in the literature regarding clinical outcomes. ⋯ Isolated dysphagia should be considered in children presenting with recurrent, otherwise unexplained respiratory symptoms. Resolution can take a number of years.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of a dysphagia screening test (DST) in patients who have undergone resection for head and neck cancer (HNC). In addition, we examined whether or not combined effects of DSTs improve the detection accuracy of penetration/aspiration. ⋯ Based on our results, it is recommended that MWST or FT be used when only one type of DST is performed. In addition, the combination of two DSTs may detect aspiration patients more accurately than one alone.
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Nursing home (NH) patients are at a high risk of Emergency Department (ED) attendance, and adverse events in the ED. With an increasing NH population, monitoring trends in ED utilization is important to aid service planning, and attention to potentially preventable attendances should be paid, to identify areas that may benefit from specialist support. ⋯ This is the first Irish study of NH ED utilization over an extended period. ED attendances PBC have not decreased since the introduction of the CMOP. Discharges PBC, however, have decreased and may represent a decrease in potentially preventable attendance/improvement in appropriateness of ED transfers, following the introduction of this intervention.