Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Oct 2008
[The role of consultation in palliative sedation in the central region of the Netherlands].
To gain insight into the role of consultation in palliative sedation. ⋯ Palliative sedation was an important reason for consulting the PTMN. The high percentage of negative advice indicates that consultation about palliative sedation has an added value. It gives the questioner the opportunity to check whether all options for treatment have been tried. The question as to whether existential problems are an indication for palliative sedation should be discussed between medical professionals as well as publicly. Palliative sedation rarely is an alternative for euthanasia.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Oct 2008
[Determining the haemoglobin concentration in general practice using the HemoCue method: useful but not completely reliable].
To determine whether the HemoCue haemoglobin value measured in fingertip skin puncture blood corresponds to the reference value measured in venous blood. ⋯ According to the test characteristics, the HemoCue is a good device for haemoglobin determination. However, in several cases there is a significant difference between the haemoglobin measured with the HemoCue method and the laboratory haemoglobin value. If a reliable haemoglobin value is needed, a laboratory venous haemoglobin assessment is preferred.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Oct 2008
[Impact of The Netherlands Health Care Inspectorate report on patient safety in operating rooms: teamwork is better than bureaucracy].
The Netherlands Health Care Inpectorate recently concluded that patient safety in operating rooms should improve. One example of improvement is the implementation of the time out procedure, which consists of a preoperative briefing and a postoperative debriefing in the operating room. ⋯ Sustainable improvement in patient safety requires teamwork and training of all members of surgical teams in non-technical skills such as communication. Crew resource management has been implemented in the intensive care departments in The Netherlands and is now being adapted for the training of integrated surgical teams.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Oct 2008
[Neuroprotection using hypothermia after perinatal asphyxia in full-term neonates].
Randomised controlled trials have demonstrated that mild hypothermia reduces mortality and morbidity in full-term neonates who experience perinatal asphyxia. Hypothermia can be applied to the head or entire body, maintaining a temperature of 33-34 degrees C for 72 hours. Treatment should be started within 6 hours after birth. An estimated 180-200 neonates may be eligible for this novel approach to neuroprotection each year in the Netherlands.