Management of Acute Abscesses by Day-Case Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis and Feasibility Study.

The management of acute abscesses is a common problem that is faced by surgical departments around the world. Once the decision is made to proceed to surgical drainage, allocating patients to an operative list can lead to delays and unnecessary admission to hospital overnight. The British Association of Day Surgery recognises acute abscess as a condition that can be managed in Day Surgery Centres.

Assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the productivity of teaching hospitals in Brazil.

Objectives: To analyze the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the productivity of general teaching hospitals in Brazil, by region and legal entity, and to propose parameters of care.

Methods: This was an observational study by means of mathematical modeling with data envelopment analysis and Malmquist index, using data on inputs and healthcare output before (2019) and during (2021) the pandemic.

Results: A total of 149 general teaching hospitals were analyzed, 32 of which were considered efficient.

Robotic and laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery for colorectal cancer in Africa: an outcome comparison endorsed by the Nigerian society for colorectal disorders.

Background: Minimally invasive surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) offer superior outcomes compared to open surgery. This study aimed to review the robotic and laparoscopic procedures for CRC performed in Africa, and compare the mean surgery duration, blood loss, hospital stay, rate of conversion, and prevalence of morbidity and mortality. This is the first study to compare the outcomes of robotic and laparoscopic surgeries for CRC in Africa.

Measuring aspects of stigma cultures in healthcare settings.

Purpose: Stigma cultures in healthcare settings are the organizational-level norms values, assumptions, physical façades, and practices that govern day to day activities and interactions. Aspects include poor quality of care, coercive care, a punitive and patronizing atmosphere, and disempowerment to make treatment decisions. To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to reduce stigma cultures in healthcare settings, valid and reliable measures are needed.

An Unusual Presentation of Urinary Retention in a Young Male Patient With Neurofibromatosis Type 1.

Acute urinary retention (AUR) in young adults is an uncommon presentation often signalling an underlying pathology, particularly when associated with genetic conditions like neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). We report the case of a 25-year-old male with a known family history of NF1, who presented with acute urinary retention and progressive pelvic pain. Physical examination was notable for axillary freckling and café-au-lait spots, consistent with NF1.

Rates, Diagnoses, and Predictors of Unplanned 30-Day Readmissions of Critical Care Survivors Hospitalized for Lung Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: An Analysis of National Representative US Readmissions Data.

Introduction/objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that frequently involves the lungs, contributing to significant morbidity in hospitalized patients. Critical care survivors with lung involvement in SLE are at particularly high risk for unplanned hospital readmissions, which can reflect the complexity of their disease, which often affects multiple organs and requires immunosuppressive therapy that increases infection risk. Severe pulmonary complications, critical illness sequelae, and challenges in medication adherence or follow-up care further contribute to their vulnerability.

Drug utilisation study in hospitalised chronic kidney disease patients, using World Health Organisation prescribing indicators: an observational study.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with comorbidities and altered pharmacokinetics, making appropriate prescribing, and monitoring necessary to minimise drug-related problems (DRPs). Therefore, this study aimed to describe the drug-utilisation pattern in hospitalised CKD patients.

Methods: An observational study was conducted in hospitalised adult (≥18 years old) CKD patients in the UK using WHO prescribing indicators, from November 2021 to April 2022 in a large teaching hospital in England from admission until discharge.

[Current Requirements and Qualification Criteria for Habilitation and Extraordinary Professorship at German University Hospitals].

Background: Achieving a medical professorship marks a significant step in a doctor's academic career, associated with a significant level of responsibility and obligations. The requirements to obtain a medical professorship in Germany vary significantly.

Material And Methods: Based on an online search, we studied the statutes and regulations of medical faculties in Germany to determine the requirements for habilitation and an extraordinary professorship within Germany.

Evaluation of a Computer-Based Morphological Analysis Method for Free-Text Responses in the General Medicine In-Training Examination: Algorithm Validation Study.

Background: The General Medicine In-Training Examination (GM-ITE) tests clinical knowledge in a 2-year postgraduate residency program in Japan. In the academic year 2021, as a domain of medical safety, the GM-ITE included questions regarding the diagnosis from medical history and physical findings through video viewing and the skills in presenting a case. Examinees watched a video or audio recording of a patient examination and provided free-text responses.

Contemporary assessment of short- and functional 90-days outcome in old intensive care patients suffering from COVID-19.

Purpose: There are limited data about the outcome of old intensive care (ICU) patients suffering from Covid-19 in the post-vaccination era. This study distinguishes the pre- and post-acute illness living conditions of ICU survivors from non-survivors.

Methods: This prospective international multicenter study included 642 old (≥ 70 years) ICU patients, including data ranging from pre-illness condition to functional 90-days follow-up.

Role of turnover, downsizing, overtime and night shifts on workplace violence against healthcare workers: a seven-year ecological study.

Background: About one-third of workers identify organisational factors as contributors to workplace violence (WPV), but the associations between these factors and WPV have primarily been explored retrospectively and with measures of perceived organisational constraints, hence providing limited information for prevention. Therefore, we assessed whether objectively measured ward-level indicators of turnover, downsizing, overtime, and night shifts are associated with the occurrence of WPV and whether these associations vary by ward type.

Methods: We conducted an ecological study at a university hospital in northern Italy from 2016 to 2022, using wards as statistical unit (average: 230 wards per year).

Childhood mortality due to pneumonia; evidence from a tertiary paediatric referral center in Sri Lanka.

Background: Pneumonia is a major cause responsible for mortality and morbidity among children around the world. The present study aimed to determine the age distribution, and contributing risk factors for mortality among children who died from pneumonia.

Method: This study was a cross-sectional study conducted at Teaching Hospital Peradeniya and Sirimavo Bandaranaike Specialized Children's Hospital (SBSCH) which is one of the two specialised children's hospitals in the country.

'A level-breaking adventure game': A grounded theory study of postgraduate nurses' academic growth trajectory.

Objective: This study aims to explore the key experiences in the academic growth trajectory of postgraduate nurses.

Design And Methods: A qualitative study was designed using Charmaz's constructivist grounded theory. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted, with all sessions being recorded and transcribed verbatim.

A novel resident physician examination using clinical simulation video to assess clinical competence in Japan: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The general medicine in-training examination (GM-ITE) assesses physicians' clinical knowledge. This study expanded on findings from a previous pilot study to assess the relationship between general medicine in-training examination (GM-ITE) scores and the diagnostic skills of resident physicians in Japan by employing an innovative clinical simulation video (CSV-IE).

Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study included 4,677 resident physicians who took the GMITE between January 17 and 30, 2023.

Assessing the Value of New Antimicrobials: Evaluations of Cefiderocol and Ceftazidime-Avibactam to Inform Delinked Payments by the NHS in England.

Objectives: The UK has recently established subscription-payment agreements for two antimicrobials: cefiderocol and ceftazidime-avibactam. This article summarises the novel value assessments that informed this process and lessons learned for future pricing and funding decisions.

Methods: The evaluations used decision modelling to predict population incremental net health effects (INHEs), informed by systematic reviews, evidence syntheses, national surveillance data and structured expert elicitation.

[Antibiotic prescribing trends in German acute care hospitals from 2012/13 through 2021/22].

An important prerequisite for ascertaining rational antibiotic prescribing is the availability and evaluation of antibiotic use data. In this study we report evolving trends of antibiotic use in German hospitals during the last decade.Using drug dispensing data from acute care hospital pharmacies, we calculated yearly antibiotic use density values for the period from 2012/13 through to 2021/22.

A Case Report of Peritoneal Mesothelioma as an Acute Abdomen Mimic: A Rare Presentation and Diagnostic Challenges.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive cancer often linked to asbestos exposure. This case report presents a 60-year-old man with a history of asbestos exposure who developed MPM, initially presenting with acute abdominal pain, an uncommon mimic of the acute abdomen. Diagnosing MPM is challenging due to its vague symptoms, often leading to delayed diagnosis.

The Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Wound Healing and Pain Management in Skin Wounds: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a non-invasive application of non-thermogenic light that is proven to promote tissue healing and alleviate pain. The authors aim to conduct the first meta-analysis, evaluating the effects of LLLT on wound healing and pain in skin wounds by comparing it to skin wounds not treated with LLLT. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed by searching the electronic databases.

International cross-sectional survey on current and updated definitions of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome.

Background: The Abdominal Compartment Society (WSACS) established consensus definitions and recommendations for the management of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in 2006, and they were last updated in 2013. The WSACS conducted an international survey between 2022 and 2023 to seek the agreement of healthcare practitioners (HCPs) worldwide on current and new candidate statements that may be used for future guidelines.

Methods: A self-administered, online cross-sectional survey was conducted under the auspices of the WSACS to assess the level of agreement among HCPs over current and new candidate statements.