Changes in adult trauma at a level 1 trauma center before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Prior research has shown the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with changes in ED volumes, trauma caseloads and distribution of disease.

Objectives: We aim to characterize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic at a diverse, high-volume Level 1 trauma center in the US.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of our institutional trauma registry at our center from 2018 through 2021 to study changes before and after COVID-19.

Patients' knowledge about medicines improves when provided with written compared to verbal information in their native language.

Background: Patient's knowledge on the medicines prescribed is vital in reducing medication errors and improving adherence and patient satisfaction. This study assessed the patients' knowledge on medicines prescribed and compared improvement following verbal or written information given in patients own language.

Methods: Seventy-five trainee pharmacists randomised to verbal or written groups, provided information to consecutive consenting patients attending medical and surgical clinics in the outpatient department of National Hospital of Sri Lanka.

Early infant diagnosis of HIV infection at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Monrovia, Liberia.

Vertical transmission accounts for majority of new HIV infections among children worldwide. Ninety percent of HIV-positive children reside in Sub- Saharan Africa with their infection predominantly acquired via vertical transmission. In 2004, the vertical transmission rate of HIV in Africa was estimated at 25 - 40% but, remarkably, the rate has significantly decreased to less than 5% in most African countries following implementation and expansion of prevention of MTCT (PMTCT) programs.