Outcomes and clinical practice in patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit in Montréal, Canada: a descriptive analysis.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is responsible for millions of infections worldwide, and a substantial number of these patients will be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Our objective was to describe the characteristics, outcomes and management of critically ill patients with COVID-19 pneumonia at a single designated pandemic centre in Montréal, Canada.

Methods: A descriptive analysis was performed on consecutive critically ill patients with COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to the ICU at the Jewish General Hospital, a designated pandemic centre in Montréal, between Mar.

Imaging tumour hypoxia with positron emission tomography.

Hypoxia, a hallmark of most solid tumours, is a negative prognostic factor due to its association with an aggressive tumour phenotype and therapeutic resistance. Given its prominent role in oncology, accurate detection of hypoxia is important, as it impacts on prognosis and could influence treatment planning. A variety of approaches have been explored over the years for detecting and monitoring changes in hypoxia in tumours, including biological markers and noninvasive imaging techniques.

Supporting family carers providing end-of-life home care: a qualitative study on the impact of a hospice at home service.

Aims And Objectives: To explore bereaved family carers' perceptions and experiences of a hospice at home service.

Background: The increasing demand for the development of home-based end-of-life services is not confined to the western world; such services are also emerging in resource-poor countries where palliative care services are developing with limited inpatient facilities. Despite this growing trend, studies show a variety of interrelated factors, with an emphasis on the availability of informal carers and their ability to cope, which can influence whether terminally ill patients actually remain at home.

Supporting home care for the dying: an evaluation of healthcare professionals' perspectives of an individually tailored hospice at home service.

Aims And Objectives: To explore health care professionals' perspective of hospice at home service that has different components, individually tailored to meet the needs of patients.

Background: Over 50% of adults diagnosed with a terminal illness and the majority of people who have cancer, prefer to be cared for and to die in their own home. Despite this, most deaths occur in hospital.

Enhancing communication with distressed patients, families and colleagues: the value of the Simple Skills Secrets model of communication for the nursing and healthcare workforce.

Background: Good communication skills in healthcare professionals are acknowledged as a core competency. The consequences of poor communication are well-recognised with far reaching costs including; reduced treatment compliance, higher psychological morbidity, incorrect or delayed diagnoses, and increased complaints. The Simple Skills Secrets is a visual, easily memorised, model of communication for healthcare staff to respond to the distress or unanswerable questions of patients, families and colleagues.