The Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) Medical Records Abstraction Project: A Resource for Research on Biological, Psychosocial and Behavioral Factors on the Aging Brain and Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias.

Background: Adult Changes in Thought (ACT), a prospective cohort study, enrolls older adult members of Kaiser Permanente Washington. We describe an ambitious project to abstract medical records facilitating epidemiological investigation.

Methods: Abstracted data include medications; laboratory results; women's health; blood pressure; physical injuries; cardiovascular, neurological, psychiatric and other medical conditions.

Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and their risk factors in an informal settlement in Freetown, Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), especially hypertension and diabetes mellitus are on the increase in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Informal settlement dwellers exhibit a high prevalence of behavioural risk factors and are highly vulnerable to hypertension and diabetes. However, no study has assessed the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and NCDrisk factors among informal settlement dwellers in Sierra Leone.

Acute Perioperative Pain Management of the Orthopaedic Patient: Guidance for Operationalizing Evidence Into Practice.

Orthopaedic surgery often results in pain, with less than half of patients reporting adequate relief. Unrelieved acute pain occurring after surgery increases the risk of negative sequelae, including delayed healing, increased morbidity, pulmonary complications, limited rehabilitation participation, anxiety, depression, increased length of stay, prolonged duration of opioid use, and the development of chronic pain. Interventions that are individualized, evidence-informed, and applied within an ethical framework improve healthcare delivery for patients, clinicians, and healthcare organizations.

Position Statement: Acute Perioperative Pain Management Among Patients Undergoing Orthopedic Surgery by the American Society for Pain Management Nursing and The National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses.

Patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery may experience pain that is acute, chronic or a combination of the two, with less than half of all surgical patients reporting adequate pain relief. The National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) and the American Society for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN) have partnered to provide evidence-informed guidance to empower nurses to employ effective pain management. Understanding and applying ethical, evidence-informed, patient-focused, interprofessional interventions will improve outcomes for patients, clinicians, and healthcare organizations.

Screening for aspiration risk associated with dysphagia in acute stroke.

Background: Stroke can affect people's ability to swallow, resulting in passage of some food and drink into the airway. This can cause choking, chest infection, malnutrition and dehydration, reduced rehabilitation, increased risk of anxiety and depression, longer hospital stay, increased likelihood of discharge to a care home, and increased risk of death. Early identification and management of disordered swallowing reduces risk of these difficulties.

Integration of non-communicable disease and HIV/AIDS management: a review of healthcare policies and plans in East Africa.

Background: Low-income and middle-income countries are struggling to manage growing numbers of patients with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), while services for patients with HIV infection are well established. There have been calls for integration of HIV and NCD services to increase efficiency and improve coverage of NCD care, although evidence of effectiveness remains unclear. In this review, we assess the extent to which National HIV and NCD policies in East Africa reflect the calls for HIV-NCD service integration.

Oral care after stroke: Where are we now?

Purpose: There appears to be an association between poor oral hygiene and increased risk of aspiration pneumonia - a leading cause of mortality post-stroke. We aim to synthesise what is known about oral care after stroke, identify knowledge gaps and outline priorities for research that will provide evidence to inform best practice.

Methods: A narrative review from a multidisciplinary perspective, drawing on evidence from systematic reviews, literature, expert and lay opinion to scrutinise current practice in oral care after a stroke and seek consensus on research priorities.

Oral flora in acute stroke patients: A prospective exploratory observational study.

Objective: To describe the bacterial profile of the oral flora during the first 2 weeks following a stroke, examining changes in the condition of the oral cavity and infections.

Background: Dysphagia is common after a stroke and can lead to aspiration pneumonia. Oral flora changes associated with stroke have been implicated as a possible source of bacteria that can cause systemic infections.

Exploring Opioid-Sparing Multimodal Analgesia Options in Trauma: A Nursing Perspective.

Challenges with opioids (e.g., adverse events, misuse and abuse with long-term administration) have led to a renewed emphasis on opioid-sparing multimodal management of trauma pain.

Sex Differences in Workplace Satisfaction and Engagement of Academic Pathologists: Opportunities to Enhance Faculty Diversity.

Context: There is attrition of women across professorial ranks in academic pathology. Women are underrepresented as leaders; 15.4% of academic pathology departments are chaired by women, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

Real or illusory? Case studies on the public perception of environmental health risks in the north west of England.

Applied research in a public health setting seeks to provide professionals with insights and knowledge into complex environmental issues to guide actions that reduce inequalities and improve health. We describe ten environmental case studies that explore the public perception of health risk. We employed logical analysis of components of each case study and comparative information to generate new evidence.

Is bottled water really unsafe for making up infant formula?

The NHS advises parents not to use bottled water to make up infant formula feed, so parents face a dilemma when this is all that is available. Unfortunately, when they turn to their local healthcare professional, many are not given the correct advice. When mains water supplies are disrupted or there is a problem with water quality, water utilities make limited quantities of safe drinking water available, and one increasingly popular option is to distribute bottled water to affected households.

Rare species of actinomyces as causative pathogens in breast abscess.

Actinomyces species are commensal flora usually found in the oropharynx, gastrointestinal tract, and female genital tract. Primary actinomycosis of the breast is an unusual condition, where the most commonly isolated pathogen has been Actinomyces israelii. In recent years, other Actinomyces strains have been found associated with breast disease.

Resveratrol in raw and baked blueberries and bilberries.

Resveratrol in the fruits of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), the lowbush "wild" blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton), the rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade), and the highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) were measured using a new assay based on high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Good 'traction' can help you achieve change.

Examine the abstract idea of traction. Explore how traction in your job can help you motivate meaningful change.

Making the most of your career--and your life.

Take a look at a simple way to evaluate your job. Start figuring out how to take on more tasks that you like and get rid of those you dislike.