Improving communication between obstetric and neonatology teams for high-risk deliveries: a quality improvement project.

Summoning is a key component of communication between obstetrics and neonatal resuscitation team (NRT) in advance of deliveries. A paging system is a commonly used summoning tool. The timeliness and information contained in the page help NRT to optimally prepare for postdelivery infant care.

Irish persons with intellectual disability moving from family care to residential accommodation in a period of austerity.

Background: Ireland has a growing population of adult persons living with family carers, thereby increasing the demand for residential places. Simultaneously, government policy aimed to reprovision residents living in congregated settings but at a time when funding was curtailed due to the economic crisis. This study examines the movements of people into and among three types of residential options between 2009 and 2014.

The human circulating miRNome reflects multiple organ disease risks in association with short-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution.

Traffic-related air pollution is a complex mixture of particulate matter (PM) and gaseous pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2). PM exposure contributes to the pathogenesis of many diseases including several types of cancer, as well as pulmonary, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Also exposure to NO2 has been related to increased cardiovascular mortality.

Universal videolaryngoscopy: a structured approach to conversion to videolaryngoscopy for all intubations in an anaesthetic and intensive care department.

Background: Videolaryngoscopy (VL) is increasingly used, but not yet routine practice, for tracheal intubation. Few departments formally trial equipment before adopting it into practice. We describe the decision-making and implementation processes that our department used when introducing universal VL, with the C-MAC (Karl Storz, Germany), throughout our anaesthesia and intensive care departments.

Cys34 Adductomes Differ between Patients with Chronic Lung or Heart Disease and Healthy Controls in Central London.

Oxidative stress generates reactive species that modify proteins, deplete antioxidant defenses, and contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and ischemic heart disease (IHD). To determine whether protein modifications differ between COPD or IHD patients and healthy subjects, we performed untargeted analysis of adducts at the Cys34 locus of human serum albumin (HSA). Biospecimens were obtained from nonsmoking participants from London, U.

The dancing thrombus: 4D transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of a pedunculated left atrial appendage thrombus.

It is rare that a left atrial appendage thrombus will grow to the extent that it can prolapse into the left ventricle. We report the case of a large prolapsing left atrial thrombus diagnosed by 3D echocardiography in a patient presenting with a transient ischemic attack.

Symptom practice guide for telephone assessment of patients with cancer treatment-related cardiotoxic dyspnea: Adaptation and evaluation of acceptability.

Background: Patients with cancer treatment-related cardiotoxicity, which may manifest as heart failure (HF), can present with dyspnea. Nurses frequently assess, triage and offer self-care strategies to patients experiencing dyspnea in both the cardiology and oncology settings. However, there are no known tools available for nurses to manage patients in the setting of cancer treatment-related cardiotoxicity.

Scaffolding and working together: a qualitative exploration of strategies for everyday life with dementia.

Background: living with dementia has been described as a process of continual change and adjustment, with people with dementia and their families adopting informal strategies to help manage everyday life. As dementia progresses, families increasingly rely on help from the wider community and formal support.

Methods: this article reports on a secondary analysis of qualitative data from focus groups and individual interviews with people with dementia and their carers in the North of England.

When is a medicine unwanted, how is it disposed, and how might safe disposal be promoted? Insights from the Australian population.

Objective The aim of the present study was to explore disposal practices of unwanted medicines in a representative sample of Australian adults, compare this with previous household waste surveys and explore awareness of the National Return and Disposal of Unwanted Medicines (RUM) Project. Methods A 10-min online survey was developed, piloted and conducted with an existing research panel of adult individuals. Survey questions recorded demographics, the presence of unwanted medicines in the home, medicine disposal practices and concerns about unwanted medicines.

Evaluation of the National Return of unwanted medicines (RUM) program in Australia: a study protocol.

Background: The National Return of Unwanted Medicines (NatRUM) program in Australia is one of the few nationally coordinated, free-to-consumer schemes to dispose of unwanted medicines globally. This scheme has been in operation since 1996, however, little is known about public awareness of the scheme and its effectiveness in reducing unsafe disposal practices. The study objectives are to undertake a review of (1) the current use of the NatRUM scheme by consumers; and (11) to investigate disposal practices and beliefs of the general population.

Respiratory and cardiovascular responses to walking down a traffic-polluted road compared with walking in a traffic-free area in participants aged 60 years and older with chronic lung or heart disease and age-matched healthy controls: a randomised, crossover study.

Background: Long-term exposure to pollution can lead to an increase in the rate of decline of lung function, especially in older individuals and in those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), whereas shorter-term exposure at higher pollution levels has been implicated in causing excess deaths from ischaemic heart disease and exacerbations of COPD. We aimed to assess the effects on respiratory and cardiovascular responses of walking down a busy street with high levels of pollution compared with walking in a traffic-free area with lower pollution levels in older adults.

Methods: In this randomised, crossover study, we recruited men and women aged 60 years and older with angiographically proven stable ischaemic heart disease or stage 2 Global initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) COPD who had been clinically stable for 6 months, and age-matched healthy volunteers.

Impact of London's road traffic air and noise pollution on birth weight: retrospective population based cohort study.

 To investigate the relation between exposure to both air and noise pollution from road traffic and birth weight outcomes. Retrospective population based cohort study. Greater London and surrounding counties up to the M25 motorway (2317 km), UK, from 2006 to 2010.

Urban particulate matter stimulation of human dendritic cells enhances priming of naive CD8 T lymphocytes.

Epidemiological studies have consistently shown associations between elevated concentrations of urban particulate matter (UPM) air pollution and exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which are both associated with viral respiratory infections. The effects of UPM on dendritic cell (DC) -stimulated CD4 T lymphocytes have been investigated previously, but little work has focused on CD8 T-lymphocyte responses despite their importance in anti-viral immunity. To address this, we examined the effects of UPM on DC-stimulated naive CD8 T-cell responses.

Trip Database: Turning Research into Practice for Evidence-Based Care.

Trip Database is a freely available search engine based in the United Kingdom. Trip directs users to journal articles, practice guidelines, and other research to support evidence-based medical practice. This column includes sample searches in both the free version and in the subscription Pro version.

Land use regression models for the oxidative potential of fine particles (PM) in five European areas.

Oxidative potential (OP) of particulate matter (PM) is proposed as a biologically-relevant exposure metric for studies of air pollution and health. We aimed to evaluate the spatial variability of the OP of measured PM using ascorbate (AA) and (reduced) glutathione (GSH), and develop land use regression (LUR) models to explain this spatial variability. We estimated annual average values (m) of OP and OP for five areas (Basel, CH; Catalonia, ES; London-Oxford, UK (no OP); the Netherlands; and Turin, IT) using PM filters.

Pharmacy student decision making in over-the-counter medicine supply: A critical incident study.

Background: Various factors influence decision making in over-the-counter (OTC) medicine consultations, yet limited studies have focused, in-depth, on the thought process of pharmacy staff. This includes pharmacy students as pharmacists-in-training.

Aim: To explore the factors that influence pharmacy students' decisions in relation to OTC consultations and choice of OTC medicine/s.

Shared medical appointments for patients with a nondiabetic physical chronic illness: A systematic review.

Objectives: Shared medical appointments are group appointments, with an optional individual consultation, for patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses. Shared medical appointments improve diabetes management, but little is known about their use for other illnesses. The objective was to determine the effect that shared medical appointments have on patients with a physical chronic illness, healthcare providers, and the healthcare system.

Patients' Perception of Bone and Tissue Excision, and the Size and Weight of Prostheses at Total Knee Arthroplasty.

The aim of this study is to ascertain patients' perception of the amount of bone and tissue excision and size and weight of their implanted prostheses at total knee arthroplasty (TKA). To our knowledge, no prior study in the English orthopaedic literature has analyzed these parameters against patient perception of TKA. In a prospective study of eight consecutive TKA (six primary and two single-stage revision TKA procedures) by a single surgeon, patients estimated the weight of their implanted knee.

Rest and exercise hemodynamic and metabolic findings in active duty soldiers referred for cardiac catheterization to exclude heart disease: Insights from past invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing using multisensor high fidelity catheters.

Objective: This study describes results of iCPET from the past, which used submaximal stress and multisensor high-fidelity catheters to exclude heart disease in a unique population of young adults.

Background: There has been resurgence in comprehensive hemodynamic evaluation of complex cardiovascular patients. Although dynamic assessments during cardiac catheterization have become commonplace, there remains limited information regarding left and right heart hemodynamic changes during supine exercise in young adults.

The impact of a person-centred community pharmacy mental health medication support service on consumer outcomes.

Background: Mental illness is a worldwide health priority. As medication is commonly used to treat mental illness, community pharmacy staff is well placed to assist consumers.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a multifaceted, community pharmacy medication support service for mental health consumers.