Patient perspectives on post-bariatric surgery nutritional supplementation.

Background: Bariatric procedures increase patient risk of long-term metabolic complications primarily due to nutrient deficiencies. The mainstay of prevention includes routine vitamin and mineral supplementation; however, patient-reported barriers to daily compliance are poorly understood.

Methods: Post-bariatric surgery patients electively participated in an 11-point outpatient survey at a single academic institution.

Improving Effective Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Application in Soft Tissue Wrist Injury.

Introduction: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for soft-tissue wrist injury may be overprescribed, contributing to ineffective health care resource use. We aimed to discern predictive factors that may improve MRI's application in soft-tissue wrist injury.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of adults who underwent MRIs for possible soft-tissue wrist injury between June 2009 and June 2014.

Cost Analysis of 48 Burn Patients in a Mass Casualty Explosion Treated at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

Introduction: Little is known about the costs of treating burn patients after a mass casualty event. A devastating Color Dust explosion that injured 499 patients occurred on June 27, 2015 in Taiwan. This study was performed to investigate the economic effects of treating burn patients at a single medical center after an explosion disaster.

A systematic review of outcomes of contralateral C-7 transfer for the treatment of traumatic brachial plexus injury: an international comparison.

OBJECTIVE The effectiveness of contralateral C-7 (CC7) transfer is controversial, yet this procedure has been performed around the world to treat brachial plexus injuries. The authors performed a systematic review to study whether Asian countries reported better outcomes after CC7 transfer compared with "other" countries. METHODS A systematic literature search using PubMed, EMBASE, and 3 Chinese databases was completed.

Management of the Formosa Color Dust Explosion: Lessons Learned from the Treatment of 49 Mass Burn Casualty Patients at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

Background: This article reports the emergency management of a mass casualty disaster occurring on June 27, 2015, in New Taipei, Taiwan, as a fire erupted over a large crowd, injuring 499 people. Lessons learned in burn care treatment and disaster preparedness are analyzed through following the specific surgical response and patient outcomes of one hospital involved in the disaster response.

Methods: Information regarding the fire and emergency management was obtained from the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Taiwan.

How Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Make Decisions Regarding Hand Reconstruction: A Qualitative Study from the Silicone Arthroplasty in Rheumatoid Arthritis Project.

Background: Previous studies have determined specific factors influencing patients with rheumatoid arthritis to choose to undergo reconstructive hand surgery. However, little is known about how rheumatoid arthritis patients are counseled by physicians regarding surgical options and the concerns that cause patients to decide not to undergo hand surgery reconstruction. The authors conducted a qualitative study to investigate the decision-making process rheumatoid arthritis patients undergo when deciding about surgical treatment, including the specific involvement from their physicians in the decision.

Evolution of Patient Decision-Making Regarding Medical Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: The migration of health care toward a consumer-driven system favors increased patient participation during the treatment decision-making process. Patient involvement in treatment decision discussions has been linked to increased treatment adherence and patient satisfaction. Previous studies have quantified decision-making styles of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, none of them have considered the evolution of patient involvement after living with RA for many years.

Management of complications of distal radius fractures.

Treating a fracture of the distal radius may require the surgeon to make a difficult decision between surgical treatment and nonsurgical management. The use of surgical fixation has recently increased because of complications associated with conservative treatment. However, conservative action may be necessary depending on certain patient factors.