B Acad Nat Med Paris
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B Acad Nat Med Paris · Feb 2011
[Pediatric heart surgery in developing countries. Twenty years experience of La Chaine de L'espoir (Chain of Hope)].
Because of their high incidence, cardiac disorders in children are now a public health issue. These children require multidisciplinary management, but surgery is sometimes unavoidable. The two most frequent types of cardiac disorder in children are congenital defects and rheumatic valve disease. ⋯ Surgery is rarely attempted in terminally ill patients. Costs must be kept to a minimum, and this is why we have optedfor local manufacture of mitral rings, led by Daniel Roux. After 20 years of practice we have found that regional hospitals are the smallest structures that can offer acceptable results in terms of patient care and professional training
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Burnout syndrome (BOS) is a psychological state resulting from prolonged exposure to job stressors. Because intensive care units (ICUs) are characterized by a high level of work-related stress, we reviewed the available literature on BOS among ICU-healthcare workers. Recent studies suggest that severe BOS (measured with the Maslach Burnout Inventory) is present in about half of all critical care physicians and one-third of critical care nurses. ⋯ Intensivists with severe BOS tend to be those with a large number of working hours (number of night shifts, and time since last vacation), whereas severe BOS among ICU nurses is mainly related to ICU organization and end-of-life care policy. ICU conflicts were independent predictors of severe BOS in both groups. Recent studies also identify potential preventive measures, such as ICU working groups, better communication during end-of-life care, and prevention and management of ICU conflicts.
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B Acad Nat Med Paris · Feb 2011
[Meeting the needs of families of patients in intensive care units].
As patients in intensive care units (ICUs) are not always able to decide for themselves, their family must receive thorough information on the diagnosis, prognosis and available treatments (unless the patient has expressed his/her opposition). It is crucial to provide this information before requesting the family's involvement. ⋯ Good communication and information are a source of comfort and empowerment for the family, especially in end-of-life settings. Finally, we examine areas warrantingfurther research on the family-physician relationship in ICUs.
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The creation of University Hospital Centers (CHU) in 1958 paved the way for the modern era of medical research in France. A large number of initiatives have subsequently been implemented, one on top of the other, without proper integration within the existing infrastructure. This has resulted in an excessively complex organization of work undertaken in hospitals, universities and research agencies. ⋯ Nevertheless, IHUs will not integrate the different partners' specific missions of each parteners. In the Netherlands, University Medical Centers have been created within a single organization. Ten years later this set-up has proved to be highly successful and could serve as a model for future restructuring of French University Hospital Centers.
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B Acad Nat Med Paris · Dec 2010
Review[Universal implementation of pathogen inactivation in labile blood products is a major step towards transfusion safety].
Transfusion of labile blood products (red cell concentrates, platelet concentrates and plasma) is vital in the absence of alternatives. Patients and doctors have always feared infections transmitted by blood, blood components and blood-derived drugs. It is potentially dangerous to delay implementation of pathogen inactivation in labile blood products pending a perfect process. Universal implementation of pathogen inactivation in labile blood products is a major step towards transfusion safety.