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Biomedical subjects

Agneta Larsson

Publications and source records attributed to Agneta Larsson.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

How can cooperation between rehabilitation professionals in rehabilitation planning be improved? A qualitative study from the employer's perspective.

Research shows that there are often problems with cooperation between rehabilitation professionals within vocational rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to describe employers' experiences of how cooperation between different rehabilitation professionals can be improved in a vocational rehabilitation planning process. Ten employers who had sent their employees to vocational rehabilitation at a rehabilitation centre in the north of Sweden during 2000 and 2001 participated in the study. Qualitative interviews were performed and analysed by thematic content analysis. The employers' cooperation with clients could be improved by a focus on clients' needs and participation in the rehabilitation process. The employers cooperation with Social Insurance companies could be improved by, 1) early prevention and intervention, 2) knowledge of each other's roles, responsibilities and opportunities and 3) priority making. The employers' cooperation with rehabilitation professionals could be improved by, 1) early identification of rehabilitation needs and goals and early rehabilitation and, 2) increased focus on own responsibilities from each part in the process.

Adult↗

[13 cases of cervical necrotizing fasciitis--all patients survived. Surgery, antibiotics and hyperbaric oxygenation give the best results].

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis is a serious, rapidly progressive infection along fascia planes that sometimes involves skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle (myositis). The condition, often of dental or pharyngeal origin, is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Thirteen consecutive cases of cervical necrotizing fasciitis treated with hyperbaric oxygen at the Karolinska Hospital during the period 1997-2003 were reviewed. Eight male and five female patients, 33 to 78 years old, were treated according to the Karolinska Hospital guidelines for severe soft tissue infections. All patients recovered. Eleven of thirteen patients required intensive care and eight inotropic drugs. Streptococcus milleri was the predominant pathogen found in initial cultures. Three case reports are presented. Our findings lend further support to the literature on the importance of a prompt multidisciplinary approach with aggressive surgical intervention, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Adult↗

Focus on motivation in the work rehabilitation planning process: a qualitative study from the employer's perspective.

Since the working environment act was passed in 1991, employers in Sweden are to plan and control the working environment conditions in workplaces. They are responsible for organized rehabilitation at the workplace including the development of rehabilitation plans and a plan for interventions in order for a sick-listed client to be able to return to work. The aim of this study was to describe employers' experiences of how motivation can be improved in a work rehabilitation process. Qualitative interviews were performed with 10 employers who had employees that had taken part in a period of vocational rehabilitation at a rehabilitation center in the north of Sweden, over a 2-year period. The result showed that increased focus on motivation for change is needed in work rehabilitation. The clients' motivation for change could be improved by a focus on motivational conversations at the workplace aiming at motivation for change in their working and living conditions. The employers' power of initiative, competence, economic resources, and motivation are needed for creative solutions at the workplace.

Adult↗

How can the rehabilitation planning process at the workplace be improved? A qualitative study from employers' perspective.

Employers in Sweden are by law responsible for planning and controlling the working environment situation in their companies and for ensuring that any need for rehabilitation is noted as soon as possible and that action is taken. This includes developing a plan for rehabilitation. The aim of this study is to describe employers' experiences of the work rehabilitation planning process at the workplace, and how it can be improved with a focus on quality and cost-effectiveness. Qualitative interviews were performed with 10 employers of employee/s that had participated in vocational rehabilitation at a rehabilitation center in the North of Sweden. The results showed that employers were interested in detecting work rehabilitation needs and in taking action early. Rehabilitation at the workplace could be improved by development of routines, improved work relations and work technique, and environment in-service training at the workplace. Prevention was perceived as a prerequisite for a good result of rehabilitation. Attention to social and geographic conditions is needed. Organizational and financial limitations exist.

Adult↗

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment of postoperative neurosurgical infections.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy for neurosurgical infections after craniotomy or laminectomy. METHODS: The study involved review of medical records, office visits, and telephone contacts for 39 consecutive patients who were referred in 1996 to 2000. Infection control and healing without removal of bone flaps or foreign material, with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up monitoring, were considered to represent success. RESULTS: Successful results were achieved for 27 of 36 patients, with a mean follow-up period of 27 months (range, 6-58 mo). One patient discontinued HBO therapy because of claustrophobia, and two could not be evaluated because of death resulting from tumor recurrence. In Group 1 (uncomplicated cranial wound infections), 12 of 15 patients achieved healing with retention of bone flaps. In Group 2 (complicated cranial wound infections, with risk factors such as malignancy, radiation injury, repeated surgery, or implants), all except one infection resolved; three of four bone flaps and three of six acrylic cranioplasties could be retained. In Group 3 (spinal wound infections), all infections resolved, five of seven without removal of fixation systems. There were no major side effects of HBO treatment. CONCLUSION: HBO treatment is an alternative to standard surgical removal of infected bone flaps and is particularly useful in complex situations. It can improve outcomes, reduce the need for reoperations, and allow infection control without mandatory removal of foreign material. HBO therapy is a safe, powerful treatment for postoperative cranial and spinal wound infections, it seems cost-effective, and it should be included in the neurosurgical armamentarium.

Adolescent↗