Do clinical incidents, complaints and medicolegal claims overlap?

Purpose: Error reporting by healthcare staff, patient-derived complaints and patient-derived medico-legal claims are three separate processes present in most healthcare systems. It is generally assumed that all relate to the same cases. Given the high costs associated with these processes and strong desire to maximise quality and standards, the purpose of this paper is to see whether it was indeed the case that most complaints and claims related to medical errors and the relative resource allocation to each group.

Effect of oleic acid supplementation on prostaglandin production in maternal endometrial and fetal allantochorion cells isolated from late gestation ewes.

Introduction: Elevated circulating non-esterified fatty acids including oleic acid (OA) are associated with many pregnancy related complications. Prostaglandins (PGs) play crucial roles during parturition. We investigated the effect of OA supplementation on PG production using an in vitro model of ovine placenta.

Effects of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids on prostaglandin production in ovine fetal chorion cells in vitro in late gestation ewes.

Objective: To use an in vitro model of the ovine placenta to determine effects of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation on prostaglandin (PG) production. PGs are key regulators of fetal maturation and parturition.

Study Design: Fetal allantochorion tissue (FC) was collected in late pregnancy (day 135).

Polyunsaturated fatty acids modulate prostaglandin synthesis by ovine amnion cells in vitro.

Diets or supplements high in n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to influence the timing of parturition. PUFAs are substrates for prostaglandin (PG) synthesis, and PGs play central roles in parturition. Hence, the effects of altering PUFA composition may be mediated through alterations in the type and relative quantities of PGs synthesised.

The effect of a diet supplemented with the n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid linoleic acid on prostaglandin production in early- and late-pregnant ewes.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from the diet are incorporated into cell membranes where they act as precursors for prostaglandin (PG) synthesis. Linoleic acid (LA; 18:2 n-6) is a major constituent of plant oils and its consumption in Westernized populations is increasing. This study investigated the influence of LA on PG production by the uterus and placenta.