Articles: patients.
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J Epidemiol Community Health · Jun 1986
Community hospitals in Oxfordshire: their effect on the use of specialist inpatient services.
About one-third of the general practices in the Oxfordshire Health District have access to beds in community hospitals as well as district general hospitals. Hospital Activity Analysis data were used to calculate the average number of hospital beds occupied daily by patients registered with each general practice in the district. ⋯ The rate of use of general medical and geriatric beds in district general hospitals by practice populations with access to community hospitals was about half that of populations without such access. Utilisation rates overall, combining the use of beds in both district general hospitals and community hospitals, were a little higher in populations with access to both community hospitals and district general hospitals than in those with access to district general hospitals only.
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We retrospectively reviewed the results of 42 cardiopulmonary arrests occurring over 1 yr in the general ward of a pediatric hospital. These data were compared to those of a similar study done 10 yr previously in the same institution. Patients were divided into those having pure respiratory arrest and those who also had cardiac arrest. ⋯ During the more recent series, sepsis and upper airway problems produced fewer arrests. There was one neurologically damaged survivor in each study period. Our study confirms that the outcome of pediatric cardiac arrest is poor when arrest occurs in the hospital.
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During an 11-year period ending January 1, 1985, 352 patients had insertions of an intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) as an adjunct to medical or surgical therapy. Group I, 175 patients, could not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass and required intraaortic balloon pump (IABP). Thirty-nine patients (22%) died in the operating room. ⋯ Left ventricular dysfunction, myocardial infarction, and timely insertion of IABP are the primary determinants of survival. Approximately one-third of patients who required IABP will die. More involved techniques for mechanical support of the failing circulation, such as ventricular assist device or total artificial heart, may increase survival.
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A person who becomes demented can be considered as he presently is, a demented person, or in light of his entire life, of which dementia is but the final stage. These two perspectives can provide conflicting determinations of the person's interests and preferences, since what is best for a demented person at the time may not make his life better overall and may be directly contrary to preferences expressed while competent. Reflection on the concept of autonomy--what faculties it requires, what its point is--provides a clear understanding of the rights of the demented patient.