Long-Term Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Trial of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Compared to Standard Medical Care for Improving Quality of Life in Muscle Disorders.

Introduction/aims: A previous randomized controlled trial showed that guided self-help acceptance and commitment therapy plus standard medical care (ACT+SMC) was superior to standard medical care alone (SMC) for improving quality of life (QoL) and mood at 9-weeks post randomization in a sample of people with muscle disorders (MD). This follow-up study evaluated whether these effects were maintained in the longer term alongside individual patterns of response.

Methods: The original study was a two-arm parallel group randomized controlled trial, which compared ACT+SMC to SMC.

The (T) thrombosis (I) in patients with (L) lower (L) limb (I) injuries (R) requiring (I) immobilisation (TILLIRI) Study.

Background: Patients requiring lower limb immobilisation after injury have an increased venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk. The extent of this risk in published studies varies. The TRiP(cast) model quantifies VTE risk using clinical parameters.

Patient Preferences for Direct-to-Consumer Telemedicine Services: Replication and Extension of a Nationwide Survey.

Background: A 2017 survey of patient perspectives showed overall willingness and comfort to use telemedicine, but low actual use. Given recent growth and widespread exposure of patients to telemedicine, patient preferences are likely to have changed.

Objective: This study aimed to (1) identify demographic trends in patient preferences and experiences; (2) measure ease of use and satisfaction of telemedicine; and (3) measure changes in telemedicine use, willingness, and comfort since 2017.

Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Bacteria from Hospital Wastewater Pipes: Isolation, Characterisation, and Biofilm Control using Common Disinfectants.

Hospital wastewater systems have been identified as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, with biofilms harbouring extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing microorganisms posing significant infection risk. This study focuses on the antimicrobial susceptibility and biofilm control of ESBL-producing bacteria from wastewater pipes from a tertiary care teaching hospital in Ireland, which had experienced endemic infection outbreaks caused by ESBL-producing bacteria. Following isolation of ESBL-producers on selective agar antibiotic susceptibility profiles were determined for a number of antibiotics assessed for their ability to form biofilms.