Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Dec 2003
[Terminal sedation in mentally competent patients: no overriding medical-ethical arguments against in the medical literature].
To collect medical-ethical arguments for and against the practice of terminal sedation in mentally-competent patients. ⋯ In the literature no overriding moral objections to the use of terminal sedation were found. This palliative option may be regarded as a useful addition to the existing range of interventions. Although it can never be excluded, abuse is not a decisive factor. There seems to be a need for a guideline with meticulous criteria and procedures that promotes the responsible use of this intervention.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Dec 2003
[Replacement of the femoral head due to fracture of the hip: prognostic factors for the duration of hospitalisation, institutionalisation and mortality].
To identify preoperative factors affecting length of hospital stay, residential status and mortality after replacement of the femoral head for a hip fracture. ⋯ The risk factors for a longer stay in hospital, placement in an institution or decreased survival in patients who underwent hemiarthroplasty as part of the treatment of a hip fracture can already be identified at the time of admission. The patients with these risk factors should be given special attention during the period of hospitalisation and after-care.