Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2020
Monitoring skin temperature at the wrist in hospitalised patients may assist in the detection of infection.
Measuring temperature has always been a key observation in the diagnosis of infection. No studies have examined the usefulness of measuring temperature at the wrist to detect infection. ⋯ ROC of peripheral skin temperature measurements suggest that such a device may identify many patients requiring treatment for infection. This proof of principle study showed value in using a wearable device in the detection of infection and its potential as an early warning or monitoring device.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2020
Charlson comorbidity index scores and in-hospital prognosis of patients with severe acute respiratory infections.
Respiratory infections are one of the leading causes of mortality, and comorbid conditions play a significant role in the severity and fatality of these infections. ⋯ The comorbidity scores used to assess mortality risk in hospitalised patients with SARI displayed poor results, but HIV infection was considered a marker of severity. However, other factors should be considered in order to compose a score system that allows us to specifically assess the risk of mortality in patients with SARI.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2020
Complicated skin and soft tissue infections in remote indigenous communities.
The burden and consequences of skin infections for remote living indigenous people are high. While skin infections are recognised as an antecedent to conditions such as acute rheumatic fever in children, data are limited concerning skin infection complications such as cellulitis, abscesses and osteomyelitis in older children and adults. In a 1-year retrospective audit of 439 patients presenting to two remote health clinics, 330/439 (75%) patients presented with a skin infection and 18 (4%) developed a complication.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2020
Multidisciplinary quality improvement programme for older patients admitted to a vascular surgery ward.
Older vascular surgical patients are at high risk of hospital-associated complications and prolonged stays. ⋯ Physician-led co-management plus a multidisciplinary improvement programme may reduce LOS and improve functional outcomes in older vascular surgical patients.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2020
Observational StudyScreening for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements in non-small-cell lung cancer in New Zealand.
Lung cancer is a major cause of death in New Zealand. In recent years, targeted therapies have improved outcomes. ⋯ Lung cancer outcomes in New Zealand may be improved by providing national guidelines and funding policy for ALK testing and access to subsidised ALK TKI therapy.