Brit J Hosp Med
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Comparative Study
Integrating Complaint Analysis into Hospital Management: A Comparative Study of Surgical and Non-Surgical Complaints.
Aims/Background: In an era where patient-centred care is paramount, effectively managing and analyzing hospital complaints is crucial for improving service quality and patient satisfaction. This study examines hospital complaints to enhance management practices by differentiating between surgery-related and non-surgery-related grievances. By identifying patterns in complaint types and outcomes, we aim to inform targeted quality improvement strategies that address specific patient concerns and boost operational efficiency. ⋯ Non-surgical departments should focus on improving treatment protocols and transparency. These strategies can reduce complaints and improve patient satisfaction. Future research should develop and test interventions based on these insights to further enhance healthcare quality.
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Observational Study
Drug exposure characteristics and related pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women: an observational cohort study.
Aims/Background The relationship between drug exposure and pregnancy outcomes is still unclear. The study was designed to characterise the overall condition of drug exposure during pregnancy and uncover related pregnancy outcomes. Methods Pregnant women were enrolled in the study from 1 October 2019 to 31 April 2022, at a tertiary hospital in Jiangsu Province, China. ⋯ Compared to the second and third trimester, unrecommended drugs are used more frequently in the first trimester. Drug exposure is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and these associations need to be further confirmed. It is vital to fully consider treatment benefits and potential risks before medication initiation during pregnancy.
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Aims/Background Sacroiliitis is a challenging condition to diagnose accurately due to the subtle nature of its presentation in imaging studies. This study aims to improve the diagnostic accuracy of sacroiliitis by applying advanced machine learning techniques to computed tomography (CT) images. Methods We employed five convolutional neural network (CNN) models-Visual Geometry Group 16-layer Network (VGG16), ResNet101, DenseNet, Inception-v4, and ResNeXt-50-to analyze a dataset of 830 CT images, including both sacroiliitis and non-sacroiliitis cases. ⋯ Grad-CAM visualizations offered insights into the decision-making processes, highlighting the models' focus on relevant anatomical features critical for accurate diagnosis. Conclusion The use of CNN models, particularly ResNeXt-50 and Inception-v4, significantly improves the diagnosis of sacroiliitis from CT images. These models not only provide high diagnostic accuracy but also offer transparency in their decision-making processes, aiding clinicians in understanding and trusting Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven diagnostics.
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Aims/Background Pressure injury stands as a global healthcare concern, primarily affecting elderly individuals. As the ageing of the global population shows no signs of slowing down, both society and the families of the affected individuals continue to bear the brunt of the consequences of pressure injuries. The majority of pressure injury cases are managed at home, and the occurrence and progression of pressure injuries in the elderly are closely associated with informal caregivers. ⋯ Conclusion The findings of this study establish a collaborative relationship network among the hospitals, family, medical staff, and caregivers in the management of pressure injuries, but with a special attention to the caregivers' needs for disease-related knowledge and psychophysical support. Such relationships streamline communication between medical staff, patients, and their caregivers, facilitating the adoption of active and correct methods by caregivers to prevent and care for pressure injuries. This can positively impact the quality of care for pressure injuries, further improving the life quality of patients and their caregivers, controlling the incidence of pressure injuries, and reducing readmission rates.
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We report a case of a 6-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder presenting with new-onset squint and 'ptosis' following a recent infection. Clinical examination revealed ataxia and areflexia alongside a dilated pupil poorly reactive to light. Subsequently, his eye movements deteriorated to near-complete ophthalmoplegia at 1-week review. ⋯ The clinical triad of progressive ophthalmoplegia, areflexia and areflexia alongside albuminocytologic dissociation led to the diagnosis of Miller Fisher syndrome. The patient was commenced on intravenous immunoglobulin and his symptoms showed significant improvement. We use this interesting case to provide context for key learning points about diagnosing Miller Fisher syndrome in children.