The Central African journal of medicine
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To establish prescribing patterns for post operative pain therapy, it's adequacy, as well as patients' satisfaction with the prescriptions. ⋯ Prescription patterns for post operative pain relief have not changed to include many of the new methods presently available. Only one route of administration is still used for a limited range of opioid and non-opioid drugs. Patients still experience a high incidence of moderate to unbearable pain in the post operative period. This can be improved by prescribing drugs at shorter intervals to reflect their pharmacokinetics and using newer techniques of drug administration.
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Pain is a prevalent symptom in cancer patients, affecting up to 50% of patients undergoing active cancer treatment and up to 90% of those with advanced disease. Although adequate relief can be achieved in the majority of cancer patients, pain is often treated inadequately in traditional settings and sometimes even under the management of more specialised units. ⋯ This is in keeping with increasing recognition by bodies such as the World Health Organisation and other governmental agencies who have recognised the importance of pain management as part of routine cancer care. Conducting a comprehensive assessment, competently providing analgesic drugs, and communicating with the patient and family allow effective management of pain in the cancer patient.
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To document the pattern of disease and outcome of medical paediatric admissions at Harare hospital. ⋯ There is a need to re-evaluate our management strategies for common conditions including those with HIV infection. Standardization of case management is an important and essential step towards reduction in mortality both at the primary and referral health institutions.
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Patients with re-entrant supraventricular tachycardias frequently attend casualty departments for termination of their rhythm. With the advent of adenosine in the physician's pharmaceutical armoury, the ease and effectiveness of vagal stimulation is being forgotten.