W Indian Med J
-
To institutionalize an evidence-based policy/protocol adapted from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) national medication standards for managing telephone medication orders (TMO) and to determine the impact of the policy/protocol on the number of telephone medication errors (TME) on two medical units of a small private hospital in Jamaica. ⋯ Kotter's eight-step framework of organizational change was a successful strategy in institutionalizing and sustaining adherence to the TMO policy/protocol, reducing the number of TMEs and positively influencing the organizational culture.
-
The male:female ratio at birth (M/F: male births divided by total births) is anticipated to approximate 0.515. The M/F in Micronesia in the Pacific Ocean has been noted to be higher than anticipated. This study analysed M/F in island populations available from a World Health Organization dataset. ⋯ The M/F in these equatorial islands is lower than anticipated, and the reason for this is unknown.
-
To review the history of newborn screening for sickle cell disease with especial reference to Jamaica. ⋯ Early detection of sickle cell disease and recruitment to clinics is known to reduce its morbidity and mortality. The methods currently detailed provide an effective and economic model of newborn screening which may be of value elsewhere.
-
To reveal the possible role of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetic children. ⋯ Consequently, fasting and postprandial GLP-1 levels in newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetic children are not different from healthy children. Glucagon-like peptide-1 levels in newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetic children suggest that plasma GLP-1 levels do not have any role in the pathogenesis of Type 1 diabetes mellitus.
-
Early cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) reduces hospital stay and complications during the waiting period. The purpose of this study is to establish the patterns of management of ACC at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) and to evaluate the advantages of early versus delayed cholecystectomy. ⋯ Conservative management of ACC results in significant delays in definitive management and risks of complications during the waiting period. Early cholecystectomy should be encouraged even in a resource-restricted setting.