Articles: outcome.
-
This study was designed to investigate the clinical efficacy of fluoroscopically guided therapeutic cervical selective nerve root blocks (SNRBs) in patients with whiplash induced cervical radicular pain. Study design was restrospective with independent clinical review. Twenty two patients were included. ⋯ Good or excellent results were observed in 14% of patients. In higher functioning individuals a significantly greater (F=.0427) improvement in pain of 48.9% was observed. In these initial findings suggest that fluoroscopically guided therapeutic SNRBs, except possibly for higher functioning individuals, are not effective in the treatment of whiplash induced cervical radicular pain.
-
The objective of this paper is to examine the outcomes of patients with intractable low-back pain treated with epidural spinal cord stimulation (SCS) utilizing paddle electrodes and a radio frequency (RF) stimulator. A multicenter prospective study was performed to collect data from patients suffering from chronic low-back pain. The study was designed to collect data from 60 patients at four centers and examine their outcomes at, or up to two years post implantation. ⋯ The majority of patients reported that the procedure was worthwhile (92% at six months, 88% at one year). No patient indicated that the procedure was not worthwhile. We conclude that SCS proved beneficial at one year for the treatment of patients with chronic low back and leg pain.
-
Semin Respir Crit Care Med · Jan 2001
Models of critical care delivery: physician staffing in the ICU.
Although a consensus has emerged over the value of intensive care units (ICUs) in improving both the outcome and efficiency of critical care, the optimal staffing configuration of physicians who provide this care remains controversial. The value of open ICUs, where many clinicians can admit and care for patients, versus closed ICUs, where an on-site intensivist or housestaff team (or both) provides primary care of the critically ill patient is one aspect of this controversy. The roles of the intensivist, the ICU housestaff team, and the ICU director have also been debated. This article reviews the available literature on physician staffing in critical care units and its relationship to outcome and cost-effectiveness of care.
-
Current evidence suggests that, in a small subset of acute stroke patients who can be treated within 3 hours of symptom onset, the administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) confers a modest outcome benefit, but that this benefit is associated with an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage that can be severe or fatal. The data show that tPA therapy must be limited to carefully selected patients within established protocols. Further evidence is necessary to support the widespread application of stroke thrombolysis outside research settings. ⋯ In such centres, emergency physicians should identify eligible patients, initiate low risk interventions and facilitate prompt computed tomography. Only physicians with demonstrated expertise in neuroradiology should interpret head CT scans used to determine whether to administer thrombolytic agents to stroke patients. Neurologists should be directly involved prior to the thrombolytic administration.
-
The practice guidelines for interventional techniques in the management of chronic pain are systematically developed statements to assist physician and patient decisions about appropriate health care related to chronic pain. These guidelines are professionally derived recommendations for practices in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic or persistent pain. They were developed utilizing a combination of evidence and consensus based techniques, to increase patient access to treatment, improve outcomes and appropriateness of care, and optimize cost-effectiveness. ⋯ These guidelines do not constitute inflexible treatment recommendations. It is expected that a provider will establish a plan of care on a case-by-case basis, taking into account an individual patient's medical condition, personal needs, and preferences, and the physician's experience. Based on an individual patient's needs, treatment different from that outlined here could be warranted.