British medical journal (Clinical research ed.)
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The legal limit for drinking and driving in Britain is 80 mg/dl (17.4 mmol/l) of alcohol in the blood. This was chosen 20 years ago on the basis of studies that have recently been reanalysed. ⋯ It is suggested that the legal limit should be reduced from 80 mg/dl to 50 mg/dl (10.9 mmol/l) and random breath testing introduced as in most Nordic countries. A zero limit is proposed for learner and first year drivers, who are likely to have accidents even with low concentrations of alcohol in their blood.
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Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) · Nov 1987
Waiting list statistics. II: An estimate of inflation of waiting list length.
The discrepancy between the length of the waiting list and eventual admissions from the waiting list was investigated by comparing data from two different sources of routine statistics in the Oxford region. It was estimated that about 28% of the waiting list comprised patients who were not eventually admitted to hospital within the region.
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Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) · Oct 1987
Waiting list statistics. I: Relation between admissions from waiting list and length of waiting list.
The relation between changes in inpatient workload, measured as increases or decreases in the number of inpatients admitted from the waiting list, and the overall length of the waiting list was studied. Overall trends in admissions from the waiting list, the influence of seasonal patterns, and the impact of industrial action on admissions were also studied. The hypothesis was that when admissions from the waiting list increased the length of the waiting list would decrease and vice versa. ⋯ In fact, if anything, as the number of admissions from the waiting list increased so did the length of the waiting list. This result could be due to inconsistencies in compiling waiting list data or to the use of waiting lists to improve organisational efficiency. It is also possible, and perhaps likely, that the ability to meet need in admitting patients to hospital influences patients and their doctors to translate previously unmet need into demand for hospital services.