Irish medical journal
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Irish medical journal · Oct 2003
A prospective analysis of inpatient consultations to a gastroenterology service.
The provision of a formal consultation service for inpatients between subspecialists is little studied. We prospectively surveyed the pattern of inpatient consultations from hospital-based generalists and surgeons to the gastroenterology (GI) service for inpatients in a large urban teaching hospital over a 5 month period. There are two GI consultants/attendings and five GI registrars/fellows on the service. ⋯ Subspecialty consultation provides an expert opinion, encourages discussion and learning, and improves patient care. In our experience, the provision of specialist advice and reassurance often speeded up a patient's work-up and expedited discharge. However, evaluating referral patients and subsequently providing ongoing inpatient and outpatient care and provision of endoscopy for these referrals contributes significantly to the workload of the GI service.
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Irish medical journal · Oct 2003
Case ReportsPaediatric near-drowning: mortality and outcome in a temperate climate.
The decision whether to continue to resuscitate the paediatric victim of near-drowning is influenced by potential poor neurological outcome. A low core body temperature at presentation is frequently cited as a reason to continue resuscitation. We report the case of an 11 month old infant admitted to the intensive care unit following near-drowning and a prolonged resuscitation. ⋯ The mortality was 23%. The incidence of a persistent vegetative state was 15%. Asystole, immersion time greater than 15 minutes, resuscitation time longer than 30 minutes, the administration of epinephrine, and a low core body temperature were associated with a poor outcome.