Clin Med
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This study aimed to investigate relationships between dysglycaemia and length of hospital stay, short-term mortality and readmission in an unselected population in an acute medical unit (AMU). The rate of follow up in non-diabetic individuals with hyperglycaemia was also measured. We analysed data from all 1,502 patients admitted through our AMU in February 2010 to assess blood glucose levels on admission, length of stay, 28-day readmissions and mortality, and to determine whether blood glucose > or = 11.1 mmol/l on admission in non-diabetic individuals was followed up. ⋯ Overall, 51.4% of non-diabetic individuals with blood glucose > 11.1 mmol/l on admission were followed up. The study showed that blood glucose > 6.5 mmol/l on admission is associated with significantly longer length of stay. Hyperglycaemia was associated with increased 28-day mortality and readmissions, and is frequently underinvestigated.
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This opinion paper briefly considers the credibility of the announced rationale behind the current extensive reform of the NHS in light of recent research evidence about performance of the system. The paper outlines the authors' views of the history of the reform, which originates in a set of documents, produced in the late 1980s by the Centre for Policy Studies, which aimed to introduce private sector involvement throughout the NHS, and a brief report by a consultant for a health maintenance organisation in the USA. Tracking of the pro-private sector changes in the NHS demonstrates that the bill is a major step in the implementation of NHS privatisation and also delineates a roadmap for coming developments, which have been explained to corporate providers and investors seeking new profit opportunities but have not yet been debated openly with the electorate in the UK.