Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Dec 2013
Inpatient rehabilitation centers and concern for increasing volume of ischemic stroke patients requiring rehabilitation.
To determine whether prolonged length of stay (pLOS) in ischemic stroke is related to delays in discharge disposition arrangement. ⋯ For the majority of our patients, pLOS was caused by acquired medical complications and delayed disposition, most commonly inpatient rehabilitation. Further efforts are needed to prevent complications and further investigation is necessary to identify the factors that may contribute to delayed discharge to inpatient rehabilitation facilities, which may include delayed planning or heightened scrutiny of insurance companies regarding their beneficiaries.
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Sexual abuse rates in the general female population range between 15% and 25%, and sexual abuse is known to have a long-term impact on a woman's health. The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of sexual abuse history in women presenting to clinicians for pelvic floor disorders (PFD) and to determine whether a history of sexual abuse is associated with a specific type of PFD. ⋯ A history of sexual abuse is common among women with PFDs, and these women were more likely to have chronic pelvic pain.
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Southern medical journal · Dec 2013
Minimally invasive drainage of subcutaneous abscesses reduces hospital cost and length of stay.
We compared outcomes among pediatric patients managed with minimally invasive (MI) packing techniques with those managed with traditional packing techniques for drainage of subcutaneous abscesses. ⋯ Soft tissue infections requiring incision and drainage are common in the pediatric population, with the majority caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Infections requiring drainage most frequently occurred in the diaper area of girls younger than 3 years old. Changing to an MI technique significantly decreased the hospital costs and LOS in our patient population.
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Southern medical journal · Dec 2013
Association of cardiac disease and alcohol use with the development of severe ciguatera.
Ciguatera is a foodborne illness that causes severe gastrointestinal and neurologic symptoms, but the risk factors for illness are not well established. ⋯ This study provides preliminary evidence that preexisting health status influences an individual's risk of developing severe ciguatera. There may be a benefit to educating high-risk individuals about preventing ciguatera.
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Southern medical journal · Dec 2013
Does a bite cause cancer? Misperceptions of breast cancer etiology among low-income urban women in Miami, Florida.
To explore breast cancer beliefs among a cohort of low-income, urban, English-speaking women in Miami, Florida, who had undergone screening mammography. ⋯ Women voiced some accurate and numerous inaccurate beliefs regarding the causes of breast cancer, suggesting a lack of knowledge about the potential benefits and harms of screening mammography before undergoing examination. These findings highlight the importance of identifying women's underlying beliefs when initiating a discussion of breast cancer screening and prevention to ensure that messages are mutually understood.