Irish journal of medical science
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Good patient care, research and education should be so inextricably linked that each should drive the other towards improvements in quality of care, innovation and discovery. ⋯ Good patient care stimulates research, research drives educational activity and education improves care. Interaction of these elements of medicine and science constitutes an interdependent upward spiral towards excellence.
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Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b (TRACP5b) is a serum bone resorption marker. Our aim was to investigate its utility in monitoring metabolic bone disease. ⋯ TRACP5b has limited utility as a single marker of metabolic bone disease treatment.
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Traditional care pathways for patients with low back pain (LBP) where general practitioners (GPs) refer to consultant specialists can lead to excessive waiting times for patients and questionable use of health care resources. The evaluation of more cost effective pathways is a priority. ⋯ Clinical Specialist physiotherapists are effective in assessing and selecting appropriate care pathways for LBP patients in line with international LBP clinical guidelines. The utility of the physical and psychological measures to differentiate between groups of varying clinical severity has important implications for treatment selection and management.
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Although blood pressure cuffs are commonly used and shared in medical facilities, their routine disinfection is performed infrequently. ⋯ Blood pressure cuffs are frequently contaminated by MRSA.