Do-not-attempt-resuscitation (DNAR) orders: understanding and interpretation of their use in the hospitalised patient in Ireland. A brief report.

Following the introduction of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders in the 1970s, there was widespread misinterpretation of the term among healthcare professionals. In this brief report, we present findings from a survey of healthcare professionals. Our aim was to examine current understanding of the term do-not-attempt-resuscitate (DNAR), decision-making surrounding DNAR and awareness of current guidelines.

The preoperative use of field tests of exercise tolerance to predict postoperative outcome in intra-abdominal surgery: a systematic review.

Study Objective: To assess the ability of field tests of exercise tolerance, such as the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), to predict postoperative outcome following intra-abdominal surgery.

Design: A systematic review.

Setting: A hospital-affiliated university.

The ability of prehabilitation to influence postoperative outcome after intra-abdominal operation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Preoperative physical fitness is predictive of postoperative outcome. Patients with lesser aerobic capacity are at greater risk of postoperative complications, longer hospital stays, and mortality. Prehabilitation may improve physical fitness, but it is unknown whether enhanced fitness translates to an improvement in postoperative outcome.

Comparison between repeat bolus intrathecal morphine and an epidurally delivered bupivacaine and fentanyl combination in the management of post-thoracotomy pain with or without cyclooxygenase inhibition.

Objective: To compare the analgesic efficacy of a traditional epidurally delivered bupivacaine/fentanyl combination with a repeat bolus intrathecal morphine technique in the management of post-thoracotomy pain and to assess further the effect of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition on both modalities.

Design: Prospective, randomized, blinded study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.