Surg J R Coll Surg E
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Surg J R Coll Surg E · Jun 2004
Comparative StudyEmergency general surgery and the implications for specialisation.
To examine the overall spectrum of emergency general surgical admissions and operations in Edinburgh, to identify the influence of an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department and observe the current practice of sub-specialisation. ⋯ The spectrum of emergency admissions and operations in Edinburgh is consistent with previously published data. An A&E department alters the spectrum of diagnoses and, therefore, the overall workload. Specialisation in emergency surgery is already quite advanced. These results all have important implications in future healthcare planning.
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Sound measurement, an essential component of any scientific discipline, remains a particular problem in pain research. The measurement of pain intensity, for example, is a difficult and often a subjective undertaking. This is of little surprise to clinicians and researchers, because it is well recognised that pain intensity, like other sensations and perceptions, is a private experience that displays considerable variability both across patients and within a patient across time. ⋯ This article reviews the basic concepts, roles, instruments used, and factors affecting pain measurement. A variety of the most commonly used pain measurement instruments are evaluated for their advantages and disadvantages. The article aims to assist clinicians and researchers to select the pain measurement instruments that best serve their purposes.
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The medical literature has only documented the importace of adverse events in terms of patient outcomes and cost to the health service over the last decade. This review focuses on the incidence, risk factors and prevention on unexpected in-hospital deaths. ⋯ There are a number of studies to suggest that in-hospital deaths are both predictable and preventable. More work is required to determine effective strategies to manage this problem.
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To examine the safety of prilocaine Bier's block performed for Colles fracture manipulation, and assess patient satisfaction. ⋯ Bier's block performed with prilocaine is at least as safe as other commonly used methods of anaesthesia for distal radial fracture reduction with high patient satisfaction. The procedure can be safely carried out by a single medical practitioner with appropriate patient monitoring and assistance from trained nursing staff.