Knowledge, skills, and confidence among healthcare staff in urinary catheterization.

Introduction: There is an increasing volume of urology referrals for urinary catheterization (UC). The aim of this study was to determine the confidence and knowledge among healthcare staff on UC. We also assessed their satisfaction with training and support received during catheter education and clinical practice.

A Prospective Economic Evaluation of Rapid Endovascular Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: During the Randomized Assessment of Rapid Endovascular Treatment (EVT) of Ischemic Stroke (ESCAPE) trial, patient-level micro-costing data were collected. We report a cost-effectiveness analysis of EVT, using ESCAPE trial data and Markov simulation, from a universal, single-payer system using a societal perspective over a patient's lifetime.

Methods: Primary data collection alongside the ESCAPE trial provided a 3-month trial-specific, non-model, based cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY).

Retrievable IVC filters - Friend or foe.

Venous thromboembolism is a common condition with widely varied outcomes. Pulmonary embolism is associated with a case-fatality rate of up to 8%, increasing up to 18-fold in massive PE. Pharmacological treatment of VTE with anticoagulant medication (AC) is the first line therapy of choice.

Tourniquet injuries: pathogenesis and modalities for attenuation.

Although it is widespread in orthopaedic surgery, tourniquet use is associated with appreciable morbidity and even mortality. We review the use of tourniquets, highlighting how an understanding of their design and application can reduce the complications and injuries associated with their use. We also review the attempts being made to modulate these injuries through physical and pharmacological advances, in particular looking at the phenomenon of preconditioning.

Operating theatre ventilation standards and the risk of postoperative infection.

Some form of specialized ventilation has been a feature of operating theatres for over 60 years, and ultraclean ventilation has been shown to reduce postoperative infection after prosthetic joint surgery. However, controversy remains over the contribution of plenum (conventional) ventilation to the prevention of infection after surgery in which there is no prosthetic implant. A previous survey in Great Britain and Ireland indicated the continued use of non-ventilated theatres for minor surgery.

Hepatitis A in urban Ireland.

Aims: To determine the prevalence of immunity to hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in urban Ireland and to categorize the region into low, intermediate or high HAV endemicity, and to analyse the significance of certain commonly associated risk factors.

Methods: Two hundred and thirty three volunteers were recruited from 6 general practices in Dublin, Ireland. There were 44 volunteers in the 10 to 19 yr age group, 40 in the 20 to 29, 42 in the 30 to 39, 43 in the 40 to 49 and 64 in the over 50 age groups.