A Targeted Discharge Pathway to Reduce Hospital Readmission and Dying in Hospital in Cancer Patients at the End of Life.

Objectives: There is a need for better information exchange between primary and secondary care healthcare professionals in cancer patients with limited life expectancy, most of whom prefer to be at home but are admitted frequently at the end of life (EoL). We conducted a file search to assess this among our patients and developed a discharge pathway to decrease readmission rate and dying in hospital.

Data Sources: We performed an in-depth file search among 150 patients who died within 1 month after hospital admission (July 2013 to January 2014); 60 were admitted once, and 90 were admitted twice or more.

First Experience with Three-Dimensional Thoracolaparoscopy in Esophageal Cancer Surgery.

Introduction: Endoscopic techniques are rapidly gaining interest in esophageal cancer surgery due to lower pulmonary complication rates and faster postoperative recovery. Conventional two-dimensional endoscopic surgery has two main limitations: lack of depth perception and limited dexterity due to the use of rigid instruments. Theoretically, three-dimensional (3D) endoscopy can overcome these limitations, but to date, its use has not been reported in the context of esophageal cancer surgery.

The palliative performance scale applied in high-care residential hospice: a retrospective study.

Background: The Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) is a tool that is widely used to predict end of life. In Ontario, Canada, the PPS is used to mark the terminal phase of life and eligibility for terminal care.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to confirm that a PPS level of 40% can be used as a marker for the terminal phase of life.

Growth hormone analysis and treatment in Ellis-van Creveld syndrome.

Little is known on growth, growth hormone (GH) levels and GH treatment in patients with Ellis-van Creveld syndrome (EvC). The aim of the present study was to assess growth, growth hormone status and the possible effectiveness of GH treatment in literature and in a small series of EvC patients. A review of literature indicated retarded growth for most EvC patients (-2 to -4.