Can acutely ill patients predict their outcomes? A scoping review.

Introduction: The full impact of an acute illness on subsequent health is seldom explicitly discussed with patients. Patients' estimates of their likely prognosis have been explored in chronic care settings and can contribute to the improvement of clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. This scoping review aimed to identify studies of acutely ill patients' estimates of their outcomes and potential benefits for their care.

When the virus hits suddenly: COVID-19 mimicking a subarachnoid haemorrhage-a case report and concise review of the literature.

We report a clinical case, where COVID-19 presented with a thunderclap headache and collapse, but no fever or respiratory symptoms on initial presentation. The patient was worked up for a possible spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), but had a normal CT brain and normal lumbar puncture and then very rapidly deteriorated with worsening respiratory failure and COVID-19 pneumonitis. We discuss the current evidence of neurological involvement by SARS-COV-2 and the proposed pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these presentations.

Post-COVID-19 Tachycardia Syndrome: A Distinct Phenotype of Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome.

In this paper we highlight the presence of tachycardia in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome by introducing a new label for this phenomenon-post-COVID-19 tachycardia syndrome-and argue that this constitutes a phenotype or sub-syndrome in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. We also discuss epidemiology, putative mechanisms, treatment options, and future research directions in this novel clinical syndrome.

Understanding what matters most to patients in acute care in seven countries, using the flash mob study design.

Background: Truly patient-centred care needs to be aligned with what patients consider important, and is highly desirable in the first 24 h of an acute admission, as many decisions are made during this period. However, there is limited knowledge on what matters most to patients in this phase of their hospital stay. The objective of this study was to identify what mattered most to patients in acute care and to assess the patient perspective as to whether their treating doctors were aware of this.

Can vital signs recorded in patients' homes aid decision making in emergency care? A Scoping Review.

Aim: Use of tele-health programs and wearable sensors that allow patients to monitor their own vital signs have been expanded in response to COVID-19. We aimed to explore the utility of patient-held data during presentation as medical emergencies.

Methods: We undertook a systematic scoping review of two groups of studies: studies using non-invasive vital sign monitoring in patients with chronic diseases aimed at preventing unscheduled reviews in primary care, hospitalization or emergency department visits and studies using vital sign measurements from wearable sensors for decision making by clinicians on presentation of these patients as emergencies.

The prevalence and impact of psychiatric comorbidity in inpatients admitted to a district general hospital in England: a 1-week cross-sectional study.

Background: Mental health problems are amongst the most frequent health problems throughout life and they interfere deeply with physical wellbeing. This study investigated the prevalence and impact of psychiatric comorbidities in a general hospital in the National Health Service.

Methods: A single-centre cross-sectional study of all inpatients during a 1-week period.

'My watch kept on alarming all night about my heart rate': diagnosis of asymptomatic atrial fibrillation with fast ventricular response in a patient with a recent TIA as the result of a smartwatch alarm.

Atrial fibrillation is a leading cause of stroke and early detection and treatment of the condition are critical. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is often asymptomatic and may go undetected and untreated in the routine management of patients with ischaemic strokes or transient ischaemic attacks. Prolonged monitoring does increase the diagnosis rate of atrial fibrillation after an ischaemic cerebrovascular event.

Concurrent pulmonary embolism in female monozygotic twins affected by Dercum's disease.

We describe a pair of female monozygotic twins with Dercum's disease (DD) who presented simultaneously with unprovoked pulmonary emboli. Several genetic determinants have been associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE) but the overall influence of genetic factors is unknown. As yet there is no published evidence to support an increase in the risk of VTE in female monozygotic twins.

Patients' and providers' perceptions of the preventability of hospital readmission: a prospective, observational study in four European countries.

Objectives: Because of fundamental differences in healthcare systems, US readmission data cannot be extrapolated to the European setting: To investigate the opinions of readmitted patients, their carers, nurses and physicians on predictability and preventability of readmissions and using majority consensus to determine contributing factors that could potentially foresee (preventable) readmissions.

Design: Prospective observational study. Readmitted patients, their carers, and treating professionals were surveyed during readmission to assess the discharge process and the predictability and preventability of the readmission.

Milwaukee shoulder syndrome.

Milwaukee shoulder syndrome (MSS) is a rare destructive, calcium phosphate crystalline arthropathy. It encompasses an effusion that is noninflammatory with numerous aggregates of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals in the synovial fluid, associated with rotator cuff defects. We describe a patient that presented with recurrent shoulder pain and swelling with characteristic radiographic changes and MSS was confirmed on aspiration of the synovial fluid.

Acute management of cocaine-associated methaemoglobinaemia.

Methaemoglobinaemia is a potentially life-threatening complication of problem drug use. This is a case report of a 29-year-old man who presented himself cyanosed after a cocaine binge. It highlights the diagnosis and management of this condition from an acute medical perspective.