Articles: outcome.
-
Int J Obstet Anesth · Jul 1999
The development of a maternal satisfaction scale for caesarean section.
Satisfaction has become an important outcome measure. The purpose of this study was to develop a valid, reliable maternal satisfaction scale for women undergoing caesarean section. After Research Ethics Board approval, each patient gave verbal consent. ⋯ Maternal sense of control was the item most related to satisfaction. This scale provides more detailed information than a simple VAS. In the population studied, this tool was found to be a valid and reliable method for assessing maternal satisfaction in women undergoing non-emergent caesarean section.
-
To discuss the clinical indications and complications of non-invasive ventilation. ⋯ Non-invasive ventilation using the modes of CPAP, PSV, BiPAP and NIPPV should be considered in patients with respiratory disorders who remain in acute respiratory failure despite conventional therapy, before considering invasive mechanical ventilation.
-
To review the technology and the role of continuous intra-arterial blood gas monitoring in critical illness. ⋯ Over the last 10 years, a number of continuous intra-arterial blood gas monitoring systems have been developed. Only a few have reached commercial availability. While the performance characteristics of these systems are comparable, the levels of accuracy of these systems obtained in vitro are not consistently obtained in clinical trials. Arterial blood flow, wrist movement, wall effect and variability of blood gas analysers are some of the factors which determine the accuracy and reproducibility of these systems. Evidence to support the clinical usefulness of these monitors exists only in the form of case studies. Controlled studies demonstrating an improvement in outcome with the use of these monitors are lacking.
-
To discuss the reasons why 250 ml 7.5% hypertonic saline was chosen as a pre-hospital resuscitation fluid for head injured patients in a multicentred, prospective, randomised controlled trial investigating its long term effects on central nervous system outcome. ⋯ Pre-hospital resuscitation of head injured and hypotensive trauma patients using hypertonic saline, has the potential to reduce long term cerebral injury and reduce social and financial costs to the community.
-
Although opioid therapy has been accepted for the treatment of patients with cancer pain, its use for nonmalignant pain is still regarded as controversial due to concerns about the development of tolerance and psychological dependence. However, recent studies indicate that there is a low incidence of addiction in patients who do not have a history of addictive disorders, and opioid use is increasing for long-term treatment in patients with nonmalignant pain. ⋯ These studies demonstrate that intrathecal opioid delivery produces short-term relief of specific symptoms and improves long-term outcomes such as patient functioning (measured by increases in activities of daily living [ADLs] and capacity to work), mood, treatment satisfaction, and quality of life, as well as decreases in oral opioid use. Furthermore, these studies showed there was no development of tolerance or addiction in patients who received long-term intrathecal opioid delivery.