Twenty-eight episodes of nocardial central nervous system infection fulfilling criteria for meningitis were reviewed. In 21 cases Nocardia was cultured from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Associated predisposing conditions were present in 75% of cases. The typical presentation was subacute to chronic meningitis characterized by fever (68%), stiff neck (64%), and headache (55%). CSF studies revealed neutrophilic pleocytosis (83% of cases, greater than 500 white blood cells/mm3), hypoglycorrhachia (64%, less than 40 mg of glucose/dL), and elevated protein level (61%, greater than 100 mg/dL). In 43% of cases there was an associated brain abscess. Patients with brain abscess had more frequent and severe aberrations in mental status as well as higher initial white blood cell counts in CSF. Mortality was 52% for the 23 cases diagnosed antemortem and 57% overall. Compared with patients who died, survivors were younger, had lower initial CSF glucose levels, and were less likely to have brain abscess. Diagnosis was often delayed, and nocardial infection was rarely suspected before positive culture reports or autopsy findings became available.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Flexible monitoring in the management of patient care processes: one year after the pilot study.

A pilot study at a large metropolitan hospital in Auckland identified a specific group of patients that can be safely monitored outside the Coronary Care Unit using Flexible Monitoring technology. This article describes the project management processes used to further develop the remote monitoring system into a hospital network of remote monitoring. The educational and staff support resources required throughout the project are described as are the strategies adopted to meet those needs including the utilization of online learning. Outcomes from the introduction of the system include improved electrokardiogram interpretation by nursing staff and improved ECG resource allocation.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Low-dose intramuscular ketamine for pediatric radiotherapy: a case report.

Ketamine in low IM doses was found to produce satisfactory anesthesia for radiotherapy in a pediatric patient in a series of extended treatments. Change in anesthesiologists may have been a factor in increasing apprehension and anesthetic dosage in later treatments.

Anesthesia↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pay attention.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Sexual health: learning to listen.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Communication↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Negotiating safer sex].

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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Flexible monitoring in the management of patient care processes: a pilot study.

This article describes a study conducted on the internal medicine, general surgical, and vascular wards of a large metropolitan hospital to assess the impact of a networked monitoring system and portable patient monitors. This pilot study was developed to address the need of hospital patients who require continuous noninvasive vital signs monitoring (including heart rate, noninvasive blood pressure, pulse oximetry, cardiac waveform monitoring) with the addition of surveillance from a cardiac intensive care area. Data were collected from 114 patients over a 3-month period to identify a patient group that could be managed appropriately under the new system and to determine the effect that flexible monitoring had on patient care management. Findings include identification of a specific patient group that can be managed successfully outside the cardiac intensive care area using this system. Other findings suggest a way to improve the management of patient monitoring in the general ward areas.

Aged↗