Irish medical journal
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Irish medical journal · Dec 2018
Case ReportsCanis Caveat (Beware of the Dog) - Septic Shock Due To Capnocytophaga Canimorsus Contracted From A Dog Bite
We describe the case of a 61-year-old immunocompetent male who developed septic shock and multiorgan failure due to Capnocytophaga canimorsus (C. canimorsus) bloodstream infection, sustained from a dog bite. Unusually, this patient developed acute liver failure and splenic infarction in addition to many of the better-known clinical sequelae of C. canimorsus infection.
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Irish medical journal · Jun 2018
Case ReportsThe Triangular Sign, a Useful Diagnostic Marker for Biliary Atresia: A Case Series of Three Irish Infants
Background The triangular cord (TC) sign is the appearance of a triangular shaped echogenic density visualised immediately cranial to the portal vein bifurcation on ultrasonographic examination. Several studies have reported that this ultrasonographic sign is a reliable and helpful marker in identifying Biliary Atresia (BA). Aims To report the identification of the TC sign in three infants with BA in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed to evaluate the clinical presentation and imaging of the three patients with positive TC sign and BA. Discussion Timely, accurate diagnosis of BA is essential to minimise morbidity and optimise patient outcome. The TC is a valuable ultrasonographic sign to aid early diagnosis of BA.
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Irish medical journal · May 2018
Attitudes and Uptake of Seasonal Influenza Vaccination for Health Service Executive (HSE) Staff.
Aims Annual seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination is recommended for all healthcare workers (HCW) in the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland. This is to reduce the risk of HCW contracting the flu and onward transmission to their patients. HCW uptake remains less than ideal, despite extensive seasonal influenza campaigns and vaccination promotions. ⋯ Furthermore, 28.6% of respondents were concerned that flu vaccination was associated with side effects, and 22.9% were not aware that flu vaccination protected their patients. Previous flu vaccination was shown to be the only statistically significant predictor for HCW vaccination (p < 0.001). Discussion These results suggest there is need to address some attitudes and beliefs around HCW vaccination for seasonal influenza, in addition to removing some practical barriers to having vaccination, may help contribute to an improvement in vaccination uptake. It might be useful to focus on specific topics, to create a vaccine promotion culture, like adverse effects of vaccination, and collective benefits for patients in HSE to help improve HCW staff vaccination uptake.
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Irish medical journal · Feb 2018
The Prevalence of Severe Sepsis or Septic Shock in an Irish Emergency Department.
Severe sepsis and septic shock are among the leading causes of death globally. Despite the central role the emergency department (ED) plays in the early identification of patients presenting to hospital with sepsis, the prevalence of severe sepsis and septic shock in the Irish ED setting has not been described. ⋯ Overall, 3,585 adult patients attended the ED during the study period, with 42 patients meeting the criteria for severe sepsis or septic shock. The ED prevalence of severe sepsis or septic shock was 11.7 patients (95% CI 8.1 - 15.4%) per 1000 ED attendances.
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Irish medical journal · Jan 2018
A Descriptive Study Of The Burden Of Animal-Related Trauma At Cork University Hospital.
Farming is the most dangerous occupation in Ireland1 and the incidence of farm accidents is rising. This study examines major farm animal-related trauma treated at Cork University Hospital over a 5 year period. There were 54 patients admitted to Cork University Hospital (C. ⋯ There were 32 (59%) patients who required surgery, the majority for orthopaedic injuries. There were nine patients (16.7%) admitted to the intensive care unit; their median ICU stay was four days. Injury prevention and treatment strategies require that the age profile, mechanism of injury and injury patterns of farmers sustaining animal-related trauma is recognised.