PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “HOSPITALS, CONVALESCENT”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Randomized clinical trial comparing laparoscopic and open surgery for colorectal cancer within an enhanced recovery programme.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer may improve short-term outcome without compromising long-term survival or disease control. Recent evidence suggests that the difference between laparoscopic and open surgery may be less significant when perioperative care is optimized within an enhanced recovery programme. This study compared short-term outcomes of laparoscopic and open resection of colorectal cancer within such a programme. METHODS: Between January 2002 and March 2004, 62 patients were randomized on a 2 : 1 basis to receive laparoscopic (n = 43) or open (n = 19) surgery. All were entered into an enhanced recovery programme. Length of hospital stay was the primary endpoint. Secondary outcomes of functional recovery, quality of life and cost were assessed for 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: Demographics of the two groups were similar. Length of hospital stay after laparoscopic resection was 32 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 7 to 51) per cent shorter than for open resection (P = 0.018). Combined hospital, convalescent and readmission stay was 37 (95 per cent c.i. 10 to 56) per cent shorter (P = 0.012). The relative risk of complications, quality of life results and cost data were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Despite perioperative optimization of open surgery for colorectal cancer, short-term outcomes were better following laparoscopic surgery. There was no deterioration in quality of life or increased cost associated with the laparoscopic approach.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Transcutaneous meniscectomy under arthroscopic control.

A technique of arthroscopic excision of a torn meniscus has evolved during two years' experience of therapeutic arthroscopy of the knee joint. The same method is used for both medial and lateral meniscus lesions under full visual control throughout the procedure, with a standard arthroscope inserted centrally through the patellar tendon. The first 18 consecutive patients thus treated have been followed up. Endoscopic operation was complemented by arthrotomy in three; in 15 no other treatment was given. The time in hospital, convalescence, sick leave, and knee function at follow-up were compared in these 15 patients with matched controls treated in the ordinary way by arthrotomy. Knee function did not differ between the groups, whereas all other variables showed better results after arthroscopic excision.

Endoscopes↗

Health system frailties in tuberculosis service provision in Russia: an analysis through the lens of formal nutritional support.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe health system challenges faced by tuberculosis (TB) treatment facilities in Russia through an analysis of formal institutional dietary provisions to patients in an inpatient facility that provides care for poor patients. METHODS: Analysis of formal dietary provisions by institutions and financing data from TB hospitals in Samara Oblast, Russia. RESULTS: Formal dietary provision for inpatients with TB has fallen substantially in recent years. In a hospital providing inpatient care for the poorest patients with fewest social support networks, this has been very pronounced. The likely reason for this is that financial support for other budget lines, principally salaries, has required protection. CONCLUSION: Formal institutional nutritional support in institutions providing care for the poorest patients with TB is unlikely to be enhancing the speed of recovery, or reducing the duration of infectiousness. Furthermore, the role that hospital may have played in the past in enabling patients to regain weight lost before admission may have been limited by reductions in formal financing. Reductions in state provision of food for patients may serve as an important illustration of wider TB control system frailties in the Russian Federation.

Budgets↗

Shell shock: an outcome study of a First World War 'PIE' unit.

BACKGROUND: 'Forward psychiatry' was introduced by the French Army in 1915 to stem the loss of troops to base hospitals. Also known by the acronym PIE (proximity to the battle, immediacy of treatment and expectancy of recovery, including return to duty), it was subsequently used by the British and Americans in both World Wars. The US Army used PIE techniques in Korea and Vietnam. Although widely accepted as an effective intervention, forward psychiatry is not amenable to random-controlled trials and only one controlled outcome study has been conducted. METHOD: All 3580 soldiers with shell shock admitted to 4 Stationary Hospital between January and November 1917 were recorded. Unit details, military experience, length of stay and outcomes were analysed. Soldiers were categorized into combat, combat-support and non-combatant groups. Admissions were correlated with military operations to compare the impact of defensive and offensive phases of warfare. RESULTS: Rates of admission for shell shock rose significantly during offensives when physical casualties escalated. Combat troops were disproportionately represented. Over 50% of admissions had less than 9 months service in France and 21% broke down within 3 months of going overseas. Less than 20% returned directly to combat units, most going to other hospitals, convalescent depots or base duties. CONCLUSIONS: Forward psychiatry was not effective in returning combat troops to fighting units but, by allocating soldiers to support roles, it prevented discharge from the armed forces. Uncertainties remain about relapses, including other routes that servicemen used to escape from a combat zone.

France↗

Analysis of medical risk factors and outcomes in patients undergoing open versus endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: The emergence of endovascular repair (ER) for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has provided surgeons with a new technique that should ideally improve patient outcomes. To more accurately characterize the advantages of ER versus traditional/open AAA repair (TOR), we compared the preoperative medical risk factors (PMRFs) and perioperative outcomes (PO) of those patients undergoing elective treatment of infrarenal AAA with ER and TOR over a recent 18-month period at our center. METHODS: Through our institutional vascular surgery patient registry, all patients undergoing aortic aneurysm repair of any type between December 1999 and June 2001 were identified. Only those patients undergoing elective infrarenal AAA repair were analyzed. Hospital records were examined for all patients, and PMRF and PO were assessed via Society for Vascular Surgery/International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery reporting guidelines. Student t, chi(2), Fisher exact, or Wilcoxon rank sum tests were applied where appropriate to determine differences among PMRF and PO according to method of aneurysm repair. RESULTS: During the 18-month study period, a total of 199 aortic aneurysms were repaired at our institution. Ninety-nine elective infrarenal AAA repairs made up the study cohort (ER, n = 33; TOR, n = 66). When examined by method of aneurysm repair, no differences existed in demographics or AAA size. Patients undergoing ER had a significantly greater degree of preoperative pulmonary comorbidity than patients undergoing TOR (P <.001). However, no differences existed in terms of American Society of Anesthesiologists classification or cardiac (P =.52), cerebrovascular (P =.44), diabetic (P =.51), hypertensive (P =.90), hyperlipidemia (P =.91) or renal (P =.23) comorbidities between the two groups. Perioperative morbidity and mortality rates were also not significantly different by method of repair. ER was associated with shorter operative time, intensive care unit stay, and overall hospital length of stay (P <.0001). However, subsequent operative procedures related to the AAA repair were performed more frequently after ER (TOR = 1.5% versus ER = 15.2%; P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that ER offers improvements in hospital convalescent and operating room times but no beneficial impact on overall morbidity and mortality rates when similar PMRFs exist, especially when used at medical centers where low morbidity and mortality rates are already established for TOR. Other centers performing ER should undertake such an analysis to assess its impact on their patients.

Aged↗

Occupational stress as a predictor in the turnover decision.

One hundred seventy-five members of a rural convalescent hospital participated in a study which investigated, through path analysis, the impact of occupational stress on an organizational member's decision to leave the organization. This article reports the findings of this analysis with respect to the nurse's aides and other lower level support personnel categories employed in the hospital (N = 72). Strong support was found for the proposition that the level of perceived occupational stress reported by these employees would be highly instrumental in their decisions to leave.

Age Factors↗

Laparoscopic renal surgery in patients at high risk for intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal scarring.

Prior open abdominal or renal surgery has been considered a relative contraindication to laparoscopic surgery because of the likelihood of adhesion formation and perinephric scarring, which results in difficulty obtaining access to the peritoneal cavity and during surgical dissection. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and morbidity of laparoscopic renal surgery in patients at high risk for intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal scarring. Twenty-four patients who underwent laparoscopic renal surgery at our institution gave a history of significant open abdominal or renal surgery. Seven patients had undergone prior open extraperitoneal (N = 6) or percutaneous (N = 1) renal procedures, 10 patients had undergone prior open laparotomy for various reasons, and 7 patients had undergone open pelvic surgery. The mean interval from the prior operation to laparoscopic renal surgery was 16.5 years (range 0.3-44 years). Operative time, estimated blood loss, incidence of complications, perioperative parenteral narcotic use, length of hospitalization convalescence, and degree of intra-abdominal and retroperitoneal scarring were assessed. Patients who developed complications were compared with patients who did not. No difficulty was encountered while obtaining initial access to the peritoneal cavity or retroperitoneal space. No bowel or visceral injuries occurred during Veress needle or trocar placement. The laparoscopic procedure was completed successfully in all cases. The mean operative time was 4.3 (range 2.0-10.9) hours. The mean estimated blood loss was 266 mL (range 50-1200 mL). There were eight complications (overall complication 33%) including three major and five minor complications. Patients who developed complications had a higher total scarring score that those who did not (p = 0.01). For experienced laparoscopic surgeons, laparoscopic renal surgery in patients who have a history of open abdominal or renal surgery can be successful. Access via the transperitoneal or retroperitoneal route can be obtained safely, and the procedure usually can be performed in a timely fashion. However, a relatively high perioperative complication rate can be expected, particularly for those patients with significant intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal scarring.

Abdomen↗

Value of orthostatic stress in maintaining functional status soon after myocardial infarction or cardiac artery bypass grafting.

Patients who have been restricted to bed rest following myocardial infarction or cardiac artery bypass grafting routinely develop orthostatic hypotension or frank syncope during their initial attempt at ambulation. Orthostatic intolerance and reduced exercise capacity secondary to bed rest is accompanied by reduced circulating blood volume, lower cardiac output, attenuated cardiac baroreflex responses, and limited baroreflex-mediated vasoconstrictive reserve. Data from the literature provides compelling evidence that the deconditioning effects of bed rest are independent of the disease state and associated with the absence of regular exposure to orthostatic stress. When orthostatic stress is repeatedly increased during bed rest by application of reverse gradient garments, lower body negative pressure, or standing upright, improved orthostatic and exercise performances are associated with restoration of circulating blood volume, maintenance of cardiac output, accentuated cardiac baroreflex responsiveness, and enhanced baroreflex-mediated vasoconstrictive reserve. The available data indicate that the inability of cardiovascular mechanisms to adequately compensate for the orthostatic stress induced by the upright posture is the most important factor limiting functional performance after bed rest, particularly in middle-aged men. Intermittent exposure to orthostatic stress during the bed rest stage of hospital convalescence and recovery phase at home may obviate much of the deterioration in cardiovascular performance that follows myocardial infarction.

Bed Rest↗

Primary closure of trochanteric decubitus ulcers: the bipedicle tensor fascia lata musculocutaneous flap.

A surgical procedure is described for the definitive treatment of trochanteric decubitus ulcers. It combines the advantages of the bipedicle skin flap and the musculocutaneous flap; that is, a large area of skin is provided with a thick protective padding consisting of fat, fascia, and muscle richly vascularized by the musculocutaneous perforating circulation. The disadvantages of either flap alone (i.e., dependence on dermal blood supply and skin grafting of the donor bed) are avoided. In patients who are traditionally the most difficult nursing problems, this one-stage reconstructive procedure results in shorter operating room time, easier postoperative care, shorter hospital convalescence, and an enduring protection against recurrent trochanteric pressure problems.

Fascia↗

The dependence of paracetamol absorption on the rate of gastric emptying.

1. The rate of gastric emptying was measured directly in 14 convalescent hospital patients and paracetamol absorption was studied following an oral dose of 1.5 g.2. Rapid gastric emptying was associated with the early appearance of high peak plasma paracetamol concentrations whereas peak concentrations were low and occurred late when gastric emptying was slow.3. There was a significant correlation between the rate of gastric emptying and the 0-4 and 0-24 h urinary excretion of paracetamol and its metabolites.4. In five patients with abnormally slow gastric emptying the mean maximum plasma concentration and 0-4 and 0-24 h urinary excretion of paracetamol were significantly lower than in seven patients with normal gastric emptying rates while the time taken to reach maximum plasma concentrations was longer.5. Individual differences in the rate of gastric emptying may contribute to variable absorption of many drugs.

Acetaminophen↗

Low flow oxygen therapy in infants.

Fifty one infants who were oxygen dependent after treatment for neonatal respiratory disease were entered into a study programme where 100% oxygen was delivered at low flow through a nasal catheter. Thirty five (69%) of the infants were discharged home and the remainder were either discharged to a convalescent hospital or back to their peripheral referring hospital. Excluding repeat admissions for monitoring or for the treatment of acute infections, 2760 hospital days (79 days/patient) were saved, representing a financial saving of $11990 (pounds 6500) per treated infant. A home low flow oxygen therapy programme has benefits to the infant/parent relationship, provides a more constant flow of oxygen than conventional methods, and the early hospital discharge represents a considerable financial saving.

Birth Weight↗

Pharmacological modification of gastric emptying: effects of propantheline and metoclopromide on paracetamol absorption.

The rate of paracetamol absorption depends on the rate of gastric emptying. Propantheline delayed gastric emptying and markedly slowed the absorption of paracetamol in six convalescent hospital patients. Conversely, the absorption of paracetamol in five healthy volunteers was accelerated by metoclopramide, a drug which stimulates gastric emptying. The total 24-hour urinary excretion of paracetamol was not influenced by propantheline or metoclopramide. Other similar absorption interactions probably occur since drugs are poorly absorbed from the stomach and many therapeutic agents influence gastrointestinal motility.

Acetaminophen↗

Operations for hernia and varicose veins in a day-bed unit.

Over eight years (1970-8) 1055 patients underwent operations for hernia or "major" varicose veins in a day-bed unit. Here, 608 were discharged home on the day of operation, 262 were transferred to a convalescent hospital for 48 hours, and 161 were retained in the acute ward as part of a controlled trial. Special emphasis was placed on selection and preadmission screening. Failure of planning was uncommon in that only 2.5% were detained in hospital and 1% had to be readmitted. About one-quarter of the patients had complications but these were generally trivial and were satisfactorily treated by the community nursing sisters or general practitioners, or both. Analysis of the total operations for hernia or varicose veins in the unit over the past 19 years shows that, whereas formerly all patients with these conditions were admitted to the main surgical ward, nowadays almost all are managed either by day care or in a five-day ward.

Adult↗

Does age predict outcome in stroke rehabilitation? A study of 878 Chinese subjects.

BACKGROUND: The predicting value of age on stroke rehabilitation has been controversial. There is a lack of large-scale studies in the Chinese population to examine the effect of age on stroke rehabilitation outcomes. This study examines the predictors of a good outcome after rehabilitation in Chinese stroke patients with special attention to age as a factor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study includes stroke patients receiving a standard inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation program in a neuro-rehabilitation ward of a convalescence hospital in Hong Kong from January 2000 to December 2003. Functional independence measure (FIM) >or=90 was used to define a good outcome. Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the independent predictors of a good outcome. RESULTS: There were important differences in clinical characteristics and complications of stroke among patients of three age groups: <65, >or=65 and <80, and >or=80 years. The total FIM scores both upon admission and at discharge were lower in the older age groups. No significant difference was observed in the changes in FIM scores across these age groups. Age was not an independent predictor for a good outcome. FIM upon admission was an independent predictor for a good outcome (discharge FIM >or=90) in all patients and in individual age groups. Having employment before stroke was a predictor for good outcome in all patients. Living at home prior to stroke was a predictor for the total population and the >or=65 and <80 years group. The length of stay predicted a good outcome in the group >or=80 years. CONCLUSIONS: Admission functional status, employment and living at home before stroke but not age per se are predictors of a good outcome following stroke rehabilitation. As older patients show comparable improvement during rehabilitation, intensive rehabilitation should not be withheld in stroke patients simply because of advanced age.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Cardiovascular responses to exercise in middle-aged men after 10 days of bedrest.

The cardiorespiratory response to 10 days of continuous recumbency was assessed in 12 healthy men, age 50 +/- 4 years, who underwent supine and upright graded maximal exercise testing before and after bedrest. The decrease in peak oxygen uptake after bedrest was greater during upright exercise (15.1%, p less than 0.05) than during supine exercise (6.1%, NS): from 25.8 +/- 5.2 to 21.9 +/- 4.5 ml/kg/min and from 24.6 +/- 5.2 to 23.1 +/- 4.8 ml/kg/min. The decrease in submaximal work was also greater in the upright than in the supine position ( p less than 0.05). Ventilation volume was significantly elevated (p less than 0.05) after bedrest during maximal and submaximal effort in both the supine and upright positions. After bedrest, peak heart rate increased 5.7% and 5.9% during supine and upright testing, respectively (p less than 0.05). The increases in rate-pressure product after bedrest were significantly larger (p less than 0.05) during upright than during supine exercise. These results indicate that orthostatic stress is the most important factor limiting exercise tolerance after bedrest in normal middle-aged men. This mechanism also increases the myocardial oxygen demands during submaximal effort after bedrest. Intermittent exposure to gravitational stress during the bedrest stage of hospital convalescence may obviate much of the deterioration in cardiovascular performance that follows myocardial infarction.

Bed Rest↗

Psychiatric liaison with private facilities caring for discharged patients.

Motivated by concern about the fate of psychiatric hospital patients after discharge to the community, a community mental health center decided to send a psychiatrist into the community to establish liaison with private-care facilities and to determine the needs of such discharged patients. As a result of the psychiatrist's efforts, owners of the area's private-care facilities acquired a better understanding of the needs of their residents and learned where they could turn for help in caring for discharge psychiatric patients. A study of one board-and-care facility revealed a marked decrease in the use of the center's emergency service and in the number of hospital admissions after one year of this extended service.

Aftercare↗

The clinical and fiscal impact of endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

PURPOSE: This study analyzed cost, reimbursement, application, and outcome differences between endovascular (ER) and open repair (OR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in a community hospital. METHOD: A total of 187 consecutive elective AAA repairs by both methods (69 ER, 118 OR) performed at a single center between July 2001 and March 2003 were analyzed. Average values in postoperative clinical and fiscal demographics were calculated for this period. RESULTS: The average length of stay was higher for OR than ER (9.38 days versus 1.94 days, P < .001). Significant reductions in operative time (4 hours versus 2.67 hours) and intensive care unit use (100% versus 4.05%) were seen in the ER population. Total hospital costs were slightly higher for OR than ER (21,989 dollars versus 19,668 dollars) despite a considerable difference in cost of the grafts (>11,000 dollars for ER versus <500 dollars for OR). However, hospital charges were much lower for ER than OR (32,660 dollars versus 48,877 dollars), and there was an average loss of 4986 dollars on ER cases versus a profit of 2064 dollars on OR procedures. Thirty-day mortality was not significantly improved in the ER population (1.45% versus 2.54%, P = .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that ER offers improvements in hospital convalescence and operating room times but no improvements in fiscal impact or overall morbidity/ mortality rates when similar preoperative medical risks exist.

Adult↗