Value of measuring subpopulations of T and B lymphocytes in patients with musculoskeletal tumours.

Background: Aims of our study were to assess the clinical value of measuring subpopulations of T and B lymphocytes in patients with musculoskeletal tumours as an immunodiagnostic procedure in the primary diagnosis of tumours.

Methods: In this prospective study, blood samples were obtained from 145 patients aged 04-98 years with musculoskeletal tumours. CD3, CD4, CD8, Helper/Suppressor ratio and CD19 subpopulations of lymphocytes were measured in specimens of whole blood in EDTA, upon the principle of Ortho Cytoron Absolute flow cytometry.

Falls from playground equipment: will the new Australian playground safety standard make a difference and how will we tell?

Issue Addressed: This study describes the trend in incidence of hospitalised falls from playground equipment of children aged 14 years or less in New South Wales (NSW) and considers the potential effectiveness of playground safety standards in reducing the impact of playground-related injuries.

Method: Hospitalisations of children aged 14 years or less following a fall from playground equipment were identified from the NSW hospitalisation data for the financial years 1992/93 to 2003/04 and described.

Results: During 1992/93 to 2003/04 there were 16,828 hospitalisations of children aged 0-14 years as a result of a fall from playground equipment, at a rate of 106.

The clinical and economic impact of a secondary heart disease prevention clinic jointly implemented by a practice nurse and pharmacist.

Background: A primary care practice in the West of Scotland used clinical governance funding to develop a heart disease prevention clinic to target patients with existing heart disease. The practice nurse enlisted the help of the practice pharmacist and the protocol for the clinic was subsequently developed with the involvement of both practitioners.

Objective: The aim of this project was to identify and offer health screening and appropriate disease modifying treatment to patients of a primary care (or general medical) practice suffering from cardiovascular heart disease in a clinic run jointly by a practice nurse and pharmacist.