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S Sefton

Publications and source records attributed to S Sefton.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Outcomes measurement in the operating room suite.

The objectives of quality improvement in the OR include improved perioperative care of the patient and OR efficiency, decreased hospital length of stay, and decreased costs. We submit that multidisciplinary outcome measurement is a prerequisite for coordinated outcomes management to achieve quality patient care in an effective, efficient, and financially responsible way, and we provide a guide to do so. The data obtained by such cross-discipline study can identify the need for patient, family, and/or staff education, improved interaction and collaboration across disciplines, revision of clinical paths, and improved hospital systems as well as benchmarking the performance of the OR against local or national standards.

Benchmarking↗
PubMed1988

A comparison of felodipine and propranolol as additions to hydrochlorothiazide in the treatment of hypertension.

Eighty one patients with uncomplicated hypertension who required additional antihypertensive medication (diastolic Phase V [dBP] greater than or equal to 95 mm Hg) after 4 weeks treatment with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 25 mg o.m. were randomized to receive felodipine 5 mg b.i.d. (n = 40) or propranolol (n = 41) 80 mg b.i.d. in addition to HCTZ 25 mg o.m. If the dBP measured about 12 h post-dose was not less than or equal to 90 mm Hg after 4 weeks, the dose of felodipine or propranolol was doubled. The double blind trial period was 8 weeks for all patients. Over the 8 week period, felodipine reduced the seated dBP from 100 to 83 mm Hg and propranolol from 101 to 86 mm Hg. The attained seated dBPs were significantly different in the two groups. About one third of patients in each group received the high dose of second-line therapy. After 8 weeks 91% of patients receiving HCTZ+felodipine and 84% receiving HCTZ+propranolol had a dBP less than or equal to 90 mm Hg. Both regimens were well-tolerated with an equal incidence but different pattern of adverse events (felodipine: flushing, headache and peripheral oedema; propranolol: dyspepsia, fatigue and vasospasm). In this 8-week study, felodipine and propranolol were safe and effective second-line antihypertensive drugs when added to hydrochlorothiazide. At the doses selected, felodipine was at least as effective as propranolol.

Adult↗