Quality and targeting of new referrals for ocular complications of diabetes from primary care to a public hospital ophthalmology service in Western Sydney, Australia.

Patients with diabetes require regular examination for eye disease, usually in primary care settings. Guidelines recommend patients with at least moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) be referred to an ophthalmologist for treatment; however, poorly targeted referrals lead to access blocks. The quality of new referrals associated with diabetes to a public ophthalmology service in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, were assessed for referral completeness and targeting.

Prognostic values of B-type natriuretic peptide in severe sepsis and septic shock.

Objective: To investigate the changes in B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock and to investigate the value of B-type natriuretic peptide in predicting intensive care unit outcomes.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: General intensive care unit.