Tidsskrift for den Norske lægeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny række
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Haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome is a severe form of preeclampsia. It is often manifested clinically by elevated blood pressure, proteinuria and abdominal pain. Women diagnosed with the HELLP-syndrome normally show evidence of recovery within the first 48 hours after delivery. There is however a small group of patients in which no arrest or reversal of the HELLP process can be seen after 72 hours post partum. These patients have a high incidence of maternal morbidity and mortality. Several studies have shown benefits to HELLP patients after administration of corticosteroids. ⋯ None of the studies show statistically significant differences in maternal morbidity or mortality by administering corticosteroids to patients with HELLP syndrome. Treatment can give a faster increase in the platelet count for patients with platelets < 50 (10(9)/L), but larger trials are needed to support the use of corticosteroids for treatment of HELLP-syndrome.
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Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. · Aug 2006
[Treatment of cardiac failure with an intra-aortic balloon pump].
Cardiogenic shock is associated with high mortality. This retrospective study examined the effect of an intra aortic balloon pump (IABP) in patients with decompensated heart failure and hypotension, with or without cardiogenic shock. ⋯ Treatment with IABP in patients with decompensated heart failure and hypotension is an efficient stabilising treatment and safe to use.
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Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. · Aug 2006
Comparative Study[Attitudes to medical errors and patient injury among doctors and medical students].
As health care providers most of us will experience that patients are harmed by medical treatment. Our attitudes and reactions to this part of the medical reality are therefore important. ⋯ To be able to learn from errors, it is important to consider all adverse events, also those that do not cause patient injury. It is important that health care workers understand why they should report, that the actual reporting is perceived as a positive experience and that it feels safe to do so. Supporting health care workers after errors and patient harm is vital to keep the caregivers in work. There are still areas for improvement before a just culture combined with sound error management is achieved. Medical students need more knowledge about patient safety.