The Joint Geriatric Orthopaedic Service in South Edinburgh: November 1979-October 1980.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Aged↗
SEARCH · Search PubMed
Results for “HOSPITALS, CONVALESCENT”
Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Use of facilitated ankylosis in the treatment of septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint in cattle: 12 cases (1987-1992).
Medical records were reviewed for 12 cattle with septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint that were treated by use of facilitated ankylosis. Information on signalment, clinical signs, digit affected, radiographic findings, and type and duration of treatment were compiled. Owners were contacted for information about the convalescent period, reasons for culling, productivity, and outcome. Outcome was classified as successful or unsuccessful on the basis of lameness, growth pattern, and whether the cattle were subsequently productive. Cause of the septic arthritis was unknown in 9 of 12 (75%) cattle. Eleven of 12 (92%) cattle represented beef breeds. Cattle were lame for a mean of 5.3 weeks before admission. In 8 of 12 (67%) cattle, a trephine was used in the creation of an arthrostomy, the middle and distal phalanges were curetted, and the joint was lavaged with isotonic solution. A drill bit was used in 4 of 12 (33%) cattle to remove articular cartilage and facilitate ankylosis. Convalescent period after discharge from the hospital was 1 to 7 months (mean, 4 months; median, 4 months). After that period, all cattle had an apparently normal gait. Eight of 12 (67%) cattle were maintained in their herd of origin. None of the cattle were culled because of lameness. Two of 12 (17%) cattle had a deformation of the affected digit. According to the criteria for successful outcome that were used in the study reported here, the success rate was 100%. Treatment of septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint by use of facilitated ankylosis is an alternative to digit amputation and is recommended to promote longevity and productivity.
Animals↗
Cortisol and growth hormone in kwashiorkor and marasmus.
Cortisol and growth hormone concentrations in the plasma were determined in 26 children with kwashiorkor, 13 with marasmus, and 21 controls. Cortisol levels were high in babies with kwashiorkor and marasmus, but higher in the former, in relation to a constant body mass. The concentration of plasma cortisol correlated positively with the body mass deficit in kwashiorkor (r = 0,66) and in children with low mass for age (r = 0,75). Growth hormone levels were elevated in both kwashiorkor and marasmus. The proposed role of these hormones in metabolic adaptation to malnutrition is discussed.
Body Weight↗
[Cerebrovascular pathology: inpatient study in a community hospital. A prospective study].
We present the preliminary results of six months cerebrovascular pathology follow-up carried out at the Sant Boi Local Hospital as from when a Neurological Unit was set up within the Internal Medecine Service. For this purpose we drew up a prospective study based on questionnaires. A total of 69 neurological patients (2.45% of all those hospitalized) were studied, 62.3% of whom suffered acute stroke. Diagnostic and therapeutic activities were analyzed with regards to the afore mentioned pathology, as well as various data of an epidermiological nature. Lastly we present the experimental multidisciplinary approach to acute stroke as performed during hospitalization by the Internal Medecine Service, Convalescence Unit and an Interdepartmental Socio-Sanitary Functional Unit.
Aged↗
Laparoscopic lumbar diskectomy: preliminary report of a minimally invasive anterior approach to the herniated L5-S1 disk.
Approximately 300,000 patients each year in the United States undergo laminectomy for disabling lumbar disk herniation. Postlaminectomy hospitalization is 3-7 days and convalescence may be prolonged. As an alternative to laminectomy, we have developed a technique for performing L5-S1 lumbar diskectomy laparoscopically. Using an anterior approach, the intervertebral disk space is opened and the diskectomy is performed under direct videolaparoscopic imaging. After pneumoperitoneum is established, the patient is placed in a steep Trendelenburg position. The small bowel is retracted cephalad and the colon moved to the left. The iliac vessels are identified visually and by Doppler probe. Then the presacral space is dissected in the midline to expose the L5-S1 disk. The disk annulus is opened with the Nd:YAG contact laser (four cases) or the harmonic scalpel (three cases). Diskectomy is performed under direct videolaparoscopic vision using standard neurosurgical instruments modified for laparoscopy. The posterior longitudinal ligament can be visualized directly to define the posterior limits of the completed diskectomy. Laparoscopy lumbar diskectomy has been performed on seven patients (five male, two female). No perioperative complications occurred. All seven patients had immediate relief of back pain after laparoscopic lumbar diskectomy. Five patients were discharged the next day and two on the second postoperative day. L5-S1 laparoscopic lumbar diskectomy is feasible and safe. It may be an effective minimally invasive alternative to laminectomy.
Adult↗
Convalescence after colonic resection with fast-track versus conventional care.
BACKGROUND: Multi-modal rehabilitation programmes may improve early postoperative body composition, pulmonary function, exercise capacity, and reduce hospital stay. So far, no data are available on convalescence after discharge. AIM: The objectives were to compare convalescence data (fatigue, sleep, time to resume normal activities, and functional capabilities) and need for nursing care and contact to general practitioner with fast-track multi-modal rehabilitation compared with conventional care after colonic surgery. METHODS: Non-randomised, prospective controlled study in 30 consecutive patients undergoing fast-track rehabilitation with continuous epidural analgesia, enforced oral nutrition, mobilisation, planned early discharge, and 30 consecutive patients undergoing conventional care. Patients were interviewed preoperatively and 14 and 30 days postoperatively. RESULTS: Median hospital stay was 2 vs. 8 days in the fast-track vs. conventional care group, respectively (p < 0.01). Fourteen days postoperatively, total and mid-day sleep were increased in the conventional care group when compared with the fast-track group (p < 0.01). Fatigue was increased significantly at 14 days (p < 0.05) and throughout the study period compared with the fast-track group (p < 0.01). Similarly, ability to walking stairs, cooking, house keeping, shopping and walking outdoor was significantly less reduced at 14 days in the fast-track group, who also regained leisure activities earlier (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups at 30 days or between need for nursing care and visits to general practitioners. Readmission for surgery-related events occurred more frequently (5 vs. 1 patient) in the fast-track group. CONCLUSION: Fast-track rehabilitation with early discharge after colonic surgery results in earlier resumption of normal activities with reduced fatigue and need for sleep postoperatively compared to conventional care, and without increased need for nursing care or visits to general practitioners. However, readmissions may occur more frequently.
Aged↗
[Hospital dental care for special patients].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Ambulatory Care↗
Laparoscopic wedge resection and partial nephrectomy--the Washington University experience and review of the literature.
Open partial nephrectomy is an accepted form of treatment for a variety of benign conditions and for localized renal cell carcinoma. To date, there is limited experience with the clinical application of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and wedge resection for benign and malignant disease of the kidney. Herein, we report our clinical experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and a review of the current literature. Twelve patients (27-81 years) have undergone laparoscopic wedge resection (3) or attempted polar partial nephrectomy (9) since 1993. In the group of 12 patients, 5 had a mass suspicious for a malignancy, 4 patients had symptomatic polar calyceal dilation with or without stone disease, and 3 patients had an atrophic or hydronephrotic upper pole moiety. Among the patients in the polar nephrectomy group, a third were converted to an open procedure. The remaining 6 patients had a mean operative time of 6.5 hours (5.7-8.3 hours). These patients resumed their oral intake on average 0.8 days postoperatively. In the 2 patients with a mass, the final pathology was oncocytoma (1), and xanthogranulomatous reaction in a renal cyst (1). Postoperative complications included a nephrocutaneous fistula which was endoscopically fulgurated, a retroperitoneal urinoma which was percutaneously drained, and a two-day bout of ileus. The mean hospital stay was 5.3 days (2-9). Their full convalescence was completed in a mean of 4.2 weeks (2-8). Three patients underwent a wedge resection for a superficial < 2 cm mass. The average operative time in this group was 3.5 hours (2-5.4). The mean time to resuming oral intake was 0.7 days (0.3-0.7). The final pathology was oncocytoma (1), oncocytic renal cell cancer (1), and old infarction (1); none of the patients had any complications. The mean hospital stay was 2.7 days (2-4). Convalescence was completed in 4 weeks (range 1-8). Laparoscopic wedge resection and polar partial nephrectomy are feasible, albeit currently tedious techniques. While wedge excision of a < 2 cm superficial lesion is relatively straightforward and efficient, laparoscopic polar partial nephrectomy remains a difficult technique and at present remains in evolution. Further development of instrumentation to provide for a reliable, expeditious, and hemostatic partial nephrectomy is needed.
Adult↗
The exodus of long-stay psychiatric patients.
Increasing criticism is being made of the policy of discharging long-stay psychiatric patients to the community. A study of such ex-patients who had left Callan Park Hospital was undertaken to assess this policy in New South Wales. The majority were unemployed pensioners, living in convalescent homes and boarding houses, who stated that they were happier than when living in Callan Park Hospital. It would appear that one type of institution has been substituted for another, and that greater responsibility for the care and rehabilitation of such ex-patients needs to be offered.
Age Factors↗
[Incidence of infection acquired at a health center].
BACKGROUND: Nosocomial infections in geriatric patients have specific features in geriatric health care facilities and services. The incidence of nosocomial infection in a long-term care hospital is described. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The study was carried in L'AlianCa from Barcelona, a long-term care hospital of 138 beds of geriatric rehabilitation or convalescence. All nosocomial infections occurred in 1999 were recorded. The criteria of nosocomial infection were those of McGeer, adapted to make them suitable to a long-term care hospital. The statistical methods employed were the Student'st test to compare means and chi2 to compare proportions. RESULTS: The incidence of nosocomial infections was 2.8 per 1,000 resident care days, showing a statistically significant increase in the group aged over 75 (p = 0.009). Infected patients had longer hospital stay and greater physical dependence. Lower respiratory tract infections were the most common type of infection accounting for the 39.7% of the cases. The mortality rate was greater in the infected group (RR: 2.61; CI 95%, 1.60-4.25). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients are at greater risk of contracting nosocomial infections. It is necessary to develop infection control programs useful for the long-term care hospital.
Aged↗
CONTINUITY OF NURSING CARE.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Brain Diseases↗
Laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis: is there really any benefit?
Laparoscopic appendectomy is emerging as a popular treatment modality for acute appendicitis. Although claims have been made to potential superiority over traditional appendectomy, comparisons of operative difficulty, hospital stay, hospital costs, complication rates, postoperative pain, and convalescence have not been well studied. Two hundred consecutive patients presenting with signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis underwent appendectomy. Traditional appendectomy was employed in 101 patients, while 99 underwent laparoscopy. Successful laparoscopic appendectomy was possible in 89 patients who were compared with the 101 patients with traditional appendectomy. There were two pregnant patients with appendicitis in each group. The incidence of acute appendicitis was 72 per cent for traditional appendectomy and 74 per cent for laparoscopic appendectomy. Operating time was significantly longer with laparoscopic appendectomy (60.1 vs 45.4 minutes, P = 0.0001). This was reflected in higher (although not significant) hospital costs ($8,683 vs $6,213). Post-op hospital stay was shorter for laparoscopic appendectomy (2.7 vs 3.8 days, P = 0.001). Complication rates were no different between the two groups. Post-op pain, as evaluated by a patient grading scale, was less for laparoscopic appendectomies up to the third post-op week (P = 0.003). The amount of IM pain medication was greater with traditional appendectomy (P = 0.009). Convalescence was significantly shorter with laparoscopic appendectomy as measured by: 1) return to normal household activity (7.8 vs 13.2 days, P = 0.016), 2) returned ability to exercise (19.7 vs 29.0 days, P = 0.009), 3) patient feeling well enough to return to work (14.1 vs 19.2 days, P = 0.032), and 4) actual return to work (15.4 vs 20.5 days, P = 0.038).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Activities of Daily Living↗
Detection of Vibrio cholerae biotype El Tor by purging.
Previous studies have demonstrated the value of purging in detecting inapparent cholera infection, but the technique has not been generally accepted. The present study shows that the method can be recommended as a routine procedure to determine when convalescent cholera patients should be discharged from hospital. It may also be useful in detecting carriers of Vibrio cholerae and for evaluating chemotherapy. In this study, five of the eight patients who excreted vibrios after purging had been treated with 2 g of chloramphenicol daily for three days, a finding that throws doubt on the adequacy of this treatment. Purging with magnesium sulfate is simple, well tolerated and ideal for hospitalized patients or for subjects whose stools can be promptly cultured. Since magnesium sulfate is inhibitory to Vibrio cholerae, this purgative is not well suited for field studies, where there may be delays in culturing.
Adolescent↗
Mini incision live donor nephrectomy: an optimal approach for the developing countries.
OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LD) is rapidly gaining popularity, however, this may not be affordable by donors in many developing countries because of its high cost. We describe our mini flank incision (MD) donor nephrectomy technique and its outcome. METHODS: A 7-10-cm subcostal rib sparing transverse incision was given 2 cm lateral to the tip of the 12th rib, towards the lateral border of rectus muscle. All dissections were performed with help of long retractors and instruments, vessels were transfixed and cut. In last 45 cases, vessels were clipped with Liga or Weck clips. Donors and recipients outcome was analysed. RESULT: From January 2000 to December 2002 a total of 148 patients underwent donor nephrectomy by mini incision technique. Mean patient age was 44.8 +/- 7.3 yr (range 20-70 yr). Nephrectomies were performed in 115 patients on the left side and in 33 cases on the right side. The mean incision length was 9.1 +/- 1.8 cm (range 7-10 cm). Mean operative time was 105 +/- 10.5 min (70-130 min). Mean analgesic (Tramadol) requirement was 205 +/- 52 mg; postoperative hospital stay was 2.2 +/- 0.5 d. Twelve per cent patients developed fever and 4% had superficial wound infection in postoperative period. Three patients required blood transfusion. Mean convalescence period was 22 +/- 2.8 d. CONCLUSION: Extrapleural, extraperitoneal, subcostal mini incisions live donor nephrectomy is a relatively safe procedure with low morbidity. This technique has a shorter hospital stay, early convalescence and better cosmesis. It is cost-effective and is an ideal substitute for the developing country.
Adult↗
Infections and airway inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease severe exacerbations.
RATIONALE: Severe exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are major causes of health care costs mostly related to hospitalization. The role of infections in COPD exacerbations is controversial. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether COPD exacerbations requiring hospitalization are associated with viral and/or bacterial infection and evaluated relationships among infection, exacerbation severity, assessed by reduction of FEV1, and specific patterns of airway inflammation. METHODS: We examined 64 patients with COPD when hospitalized for exacerbations, and when in stable convalescence. We measured lung function, blood gases, and exhaled nitric oxide, and examined sputum for inflammation and for viral and bacterial infection. RESULTS: Exacerbations were associated with impaired lung function (p < 0.01) and increased sputum neutrophilia (p < 0.001). Viral and/or bacterial infection was detected in 78% of exacerbations: viruses in 48.4% (6.2% when stable, p < 0.001) and bacteria in 54.7% (37.5% when stable, p = 0.08). Patients with infectious exacerbations (29.7% bacterial, 23.4% viral, 25% viral/bacterial coinfection) had longer hospitalizations (p < 0.02) and greater impairment of several measures of lung function (all p < 0.05) than those with noninfectious exacerbations. Patients with exacerbations with coinfection had more marked lung function impairment (p < 0.02) and longer hospitalizations (p = 0.001). Sputum neutrophils were increased in all exacerbations (p < 0.001) and were related to their severity (p < 0.001), independently of the association with viral or bacterial infections; sputum eosinophils were increased during (p < 0.001) virus-associated exacerbations. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory infections are associated with the majority of COPD exacerbations and their severity, especially those with viral/bacterial coinfection. Airway neutrophilia is related to exacerbation severity regardless of viral and/or bacterial infections. Eosinophilia is a good predictor of viral exacerbations.
Aged↗
[Thyroid and parathyroid surgery under hypnosis: from fiction to clinical application].
Since 1992, we have used hypnosis routinely in more than 1400 procedures in plastic surgery. Our clinical success and experience with this technique led us to test wether hypnosis using active patient collaboration, could be used as an effective adjunct to conscious intravenous sedation ("hypnosedation", (HS)) for endocrine surgery, as an alternative to general anaesthesia. On a total of 1905 cervical endocrine surgical procedures performed between 1995 and 1998, 296 thyroidectomies and 33 cervical explorations for hyperparathyroidism were conducted under HS. Conversion to GA was needed in three cases (0.9%). All patients having HS reported a very pleasant experience and had significantly less postoperative pain while analgesic use was significantly reduced in this group. Hospital stay was also significantly shorter, providing a substantial reduction of the costs of medical care. The postoperative convalescence was significantly improved after HS and full return to social or professional activity was significantly shortened. We conclude that HS is a very efficient technique that provide physiological, psychological and economic benefits to the patient.
Alfentanil↗
Population-based studies in the evaluation of a community hospital.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Convalescence↗
Malnutrition in hospitalized elderly patients: when does it matter?
BACKGROUND: Identifying the individual effects of acute illness and malnutrition on elderly patient outcome and the timing of nutritional support is still an important challenge for modern medicine. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to assess the practical significance of serum albumin concentrations following acute illness as a measure of nutritional status in ageing patients and also to review recently published studies related to this field. DESIGN: Consecutive stroke patients had their nutritional status assessed from anthropometric, haematological and biochemical data during the hospital stay. Predicted energy needs and daily in-hospital energy intake were also studied in a subgroup of 24 acute stroke patients and 24 age and sex-matched hospitalized non-stroke patients. A multivariate analysis was used to measure the amount of variance in serum albumin concentrations explained by nutritional and non-nutritional clinical variables. RESULTS: Serum albumin concentrations deteriorated steadily during the study period and there was an increase in the amount of variance in the serum albumin explained by nutritional variables between admission and week 4 of the hospital stay. Almost all patients studied were in negative energy balance during hospitalization. Evidence is provided which links low serum albumin concentrations with clinical outcomes during the hospital stay and immediately following discharge. That nutritional supplementation started one week as opposed to immediately following acute illness, and continued during the convalescent period, can improve serum albumin concentrations during the hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Poor nutritional status following acute illness in ageing patients may be of more prognostic significance and amenable to therapy later on during the course of hospitalization.
Acute Disease↗