Clinical medicine (London, England)
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A cohort of the first 50 COVID-19 patients in East Tyrol, a region in the southwest of Austria, were monitored in home quarantine. Specific viral ribonucleic acid was detected in throat swabs and stool samples. Analysis indicated a median virus shedding duration of 13 days; however, statistical outliers highlight the importance of consequent testing. ⋯ Investigation revealed seven relapses and viral shedding fluctuation in four cases. A follow-up examination shed light on seroconversion which could be observed in 35 of 40 participants. This further clarifies the necessity of establishing discharge standards and follow-up management for COVID-19 patients.
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A significant number of healthcare workers around the world have contracted COVID-19 from their workplace, thus there is a need to investigate common hygiene practices. ⋯ This study signified that junior doctors were more meticulous in hygiene adaptations and female doctors were more fastidious in personal hygiene. The observations of this study may be beneficial in preventing transmission of infection to families of healthcare professionals and are important to implement in the case of a second wave of COVID-19.
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The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in clinical practice may be an independent risk factor for the development of antimicrobial resistance. To combat this, our hospital implemented a hospital antibiotic policy which outlines the appropriate antibiotic to be used in an acute admission, based on a continuously updated local antibiogram. ⋯ We show that a simple QIP model combined with the use of a mobile application can serve to improve compliance even in a low-resource setting with minimum infrastructure. This model could be easily extrapolated into similar settings.
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Increasing rates of liver transplantation and improved outcomes have led to greater numbers of transplant recipients followed up in non-transplant centres. Our aim was to document long-term clinical outcomes of liver transplant recipients managed in this 'hub-and-spoke' healthcare model. ⋯ Adopting a new model of healthcare provides a means of delivering post-transplant patient care close to home without compromising patient survival and long-term clinical outcomes.
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Antibiotic use drives antibiotic resistance. Reducing antibiotic use through reducing antibiotic course lengths could contribute to the UK national ambition to reduce total antibiotic use. ⋯ Clinical application of the evidence-based guidance for shorter antibiotic course lengths appears to be a valid strategy for reducing total antibiotic consumption.