scholarly journals Consent for the discontinuation of life-prolonging treatment in cancer patients: a retrospective comparative analysis before and after the enforcement of the Life Extension Medical Decision law

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
YuJin Chung ◽  
JinHo Beom ◽  
JiEun Lee ◽  
Incheol Park ◽  
Junho Cho
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Room ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Life Extension ◽  
Medical Decision ◽  
Patient Consent ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Law

Abstract Background The Life Extension Medical Decision law enacted on February 4, 2018 in South Korea was the first to consider the suspension of nonsensical life-prolonging treatment, and its enactment raised big controversy in Korean society. However, there is no study on whether the actual life-prolonging treatment for patients has decreased after enforcing the law. This study aimed to compare the provision of patient consent before and after the enforcement of the law among cancer patients who visited a tertiary university hospital's emergency room to understand the effects of the law on cancer patients' clinical care. Methods This retrospective single cohort study included advanced cancer patients over 19 years of age who visited the emergency room at a tertiary university hospital. The two study periods were as follows: from February 2017 to January 2018 (before) and from May 2018 to April 2019 (after). The primary outcome was the average length of hospital stay. The consent rate for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), intubation, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission were the secondary outcomes. Results The average length of hospital stay decreased after the law was enforced, from 4 days to 2 days (p= 0.001). The rates of direct transfers to secondary and nursing hospitals increased from 8.2% to 21.2% (p=0.001) and from 1.0% to 9.7%, respectively (p<0.001). The rate of provision of consent for admission to the ICU decreased from 6.7% to 2.3% (p=0.032). For CPR and CRRT, the rate of provision of consent decreased from 1.0% to 0.0% and from 13.9% to 8.8%, respectively, but the differences were not significant (p=0.226 and p=0.109, respectively). Conclusion According to previous research, for patients wishing only conservative treatment, the reduction in hospital stays at tertiary hospitals ultimately reduces the physical, emotional, financial burdens and also improves the quality of end-of-life at home or in a hospice facility. In this context, this research ultimately show that the purpose of the LEMD law has been achieved. Further research in several hospitals including those patients who completed the consent after hospitalization is needed to generalize the clinical implication of the LEMD law.

scholarly journals Consent for withholding life-sustaining treatment in cancer patients: a retrospective comparative analysis before and after the enforcement of the Life Extension Medical Decision law

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Jin Chung ◽  
Incheol Park ◽  
Junho Cho ◽  
Jin Ho Beom ◽  
Ji Eun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Room ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Life Extension ◽  
Medical Decision ◽  
Icu Admission ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Life Sustaining Treatment

Abstract Background The Life Extension Medical Decision law enacted on February 4, 2018 in South Korea was the first to consider the suspension of futile life-sustaining treatment, and its enactment caused a big controversy in Korean society. However, no study has evaluated whether the actual implementation of life-sustaining treatment has decreased after the enforcement of this law. This study aimed to compare the provision of patient consent before and after the enforcement of this law among cancer patients who visited a tertiary university hospital's emergency room to understand the effects of this law on the clinical care of cancer patients. Methods This retrospective single cohort study included advanced cancer patients aged over 19 years who visited the emergency room of a tertiary university hospital. The two study periods were as follows: from February 2017 to January 2018 (before) and from May 2018 to April 2019 (after). The primary outcome was the length of hospital stay. The consent rates to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), intubation, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission were the secondary outcomes. Results The length of hospital stay decreased after the law was enforced from 4 to 2 days (p = 0.001). The rates of direct transfers to secondary hospitals and nursing hospitals increased from 8.2 to 21.2% (p = 0.001) and from 1.0 to 9.7%, respectively (p < 0.001). The consent rate for admission to the ICU decreased from 6.7 to 2.3% (p = 0.032). For CPR and CRRT, the consent rates decreased from 1.0 to 0.0% and from 13.9 to 8.8%, respectively, but the differences were not significant (p = 0.226 and p = 0.109, respectively). Conclusion After the enforcement of the Life Extension Medical Decision law, the length of stay in the tertiary university hospital decreased in patients who established their life-sustaining treatment plans in the emergency room. Moreover, the rate of consent for ICU admission decreased.

scholarly journals Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and schizophrenia

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S332-S332
Author(s):  
Rhys Masin ◽  
George Kirov
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Future Research ◽  
List Type ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
The Uk

AimsAn evaluation of the benefits of ECT in patients with schizophrenia who received ECT in Cardiff & Vale UHB, in order to: ⋅Investigate the effectiveness of ECT as a treatment for schizophrenia⋅Inform future clinical practice⋅Identify clear outcome measures for use in future researchBackgroundSchizophrenia is a severe and debilitating mental illness, for which pharmacological treatment is often ineffective. ECT is seldom used for schizophrenia, despite encouraging evidence for its efficacy. Current guidance in the UK is inconsistent, as RCPsych contemplates the use of ECT in schizophrenia in certain cases, while NICE does not. This confusion warrants the need for further evaluation of ECT as a treatment for schizophrenia.MethodEight suitable patients were identified, and a retrospective chart review was conducted in relation to the following outcomes: •What was the main indication for ECT, and was the issue resolved•Change in clinical rating scales•Concordance with medication before and after treatment•Length of hospital stay before and after treatment, over one year•Mental Health Act status after treatment for those treated on section•Was the level of observation reduced following treatmentResultInitial indication for treatment was completely resolved in seven out of eight cases. All patients improved in overall symptomatic score (mean improvement = 59.5%). Five patients (62.5%) improved above the threshold of clinically significant response. At the commencement of treatment, three (37.5%) patients were refusing all medication, three (37.5%) had poor concordance and two (25%) were fully concordant. At treatment endpoint, all were fully concordant. Average length of hospital stay remained unchanged: 30 weeks during the year before ECT, and 33 weeks during the year after ECT. Of six patients treated under Section 3, four (66.7%) had their section lifted within six months. Observation level was reduced in all cases that had been placed under continuous observation.ConclusionECT improved all outcomes except admission duration. These results provide support for the consideration of ECT as a meaningful treatment option for schizophrenia.

Pilonidal Sinus: How to Choose Between Excision and Open Granulation Versus Excision and Primary Closure?

Swiss Surgery ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 255-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perruchoud ◽  
Vuilleumier ◽  
Givel
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Pilonidal Sinus ◽  
Primary Closure ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Healing Time ◽  
Incision And Drainage ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Primary Healing

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate excision and open granulation versus excision and primary closure as treatments for pilonidal sinus. Subjects and methods: We evaluated a group of 141 patients operated on for a pilonidal sinus between 1991 and 1995. Ninety patients were treated by excision and open granulation, 34 patients by excision and primary closure and 17 patients by incision and drainage, as a unique treatment of an infected pilonidal sinus. Results: The first group, receiving treatment of excision and open granulation, experienced the following outcomes: average length of hospital stay, four days; average healing time; 72 days; average number of post-operative ambulatory visits, 40; average off-work delay, 38 days; and average follow-up time, 43 months. There were five recurrences (6%) in this group during the follow-up period. For the second group treated by excision and primary closure, the corresponding outcome measurements were as follows: average length of hospital stay, four days; average healing time, 23 days; primary healing failure rate, 9%; average number of post-operative ambulatory visits, 6; average off-work delay, 21 days. The average follow-up time was 34 months, and two recurrences (6%) were observed during the follow-up period. In the third group, seventeen patients benefited from an incision and drainage as unique treatment. The mean follow-up was 37 months. Five recurrences (29%) were noticed, requiring a new operation in all the cases. Discussion and conclusion: This series of 141 patients is too limited to permit final conclusions to be drawn concerning significant advantages of one form of treatment compared to the other. Nevertheless, primary closure offers the advantages of quicker healing time, fewer post-operative visits and shorter time off work. When a primary closure can be carried out, it should be routinely considered for socio-economical and comfort reasons.

scholarly journals Detection of influenza virus in rectal swabs of patients admitted in hospital for febrile illnesses in Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 205031212198963
Author(s):  
Artit Sangkakam ◽  
Pasin Hemachudha ◽  
Abhinbhen W Saraya ◽  
Benjamard Thaweethee-Sukjai ◽  
Thaniwan Cheun-Arom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Rectal Swab ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Virus Detection ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Influenza Virus Detection

Introduction: Influenza virus favours the respiratory tract as its primary site of host entry and replication, and it is transmitted mainly via respiratory secretions. Nasopharyngeal swab is the gold standard specimen type for influenza detection, but several studies have also suggested that the virus replicates in the human gastrointestinal tract. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on all patients positive for influenza virus and initially recruited as part of the PREDICT project from 2017 to 2018. The objectives of the study were to investigate whether rectal swab could aid in improving influenza detection, and if there was any correlation between gastrointestinal disturbances and severity of infection, using length of hospital stay as an indicator of severity. Results: Of the 51 influenza-positive patients, 12 had detectable influenza virus in their rectal swab. Among these 12 rectal swab positive patients, influenza virus was not detected in the nasopharyngeal swab of three of them. Gastrointestinal symptoms were observed for 28.2% patients with a negative rectal swab negative and 25.0% patients with a positive rectal swab. Average length of hospital stay was 4.2 days for rectal swab positive group and 3.7 days for rectal swab negative group. This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.288). Conclusions: There is no correlation between influenza virus detection in rectal swab and gastrointestinal disturbances or disease severity, and there is currently insufficient evidence to support replicative ability in the gastrointestinal tract.

scholarly journals Critical Pathway and Hospital-Hospital Cooperation in Acute Stroke Reduction of the Length of Hospital Stay

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 251-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Hashimoto ◽  
T. Terasaki ◽  
T. Yonehara ◽  
M. Tokunaga ◽  
T. Hirano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Neurological Disease ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Critical Pathway ◽  
Hospital Days ◽  
Other Neurological Disease

Stroke patients tend to stay longer in one hospital compared to patients with other neurological disease. After the introduction of 3 types of critical pathway dedicated for various severity of acute ischemic stroke in 1995, the average length of in-hospital days declined from 30.0 days (1993) to 15.3 days (1998), ie 49% reduction. This reduction was achieved by the use of critical pathway and the hospital-hospital cooperation.

223 Procedural Safety of Stereotactic Laser Ablation (SLA) and Associated Hospital Stay: Outcome from the First Hundred Patient from LAANTERN Prospective Registry

Neurosurgery ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (CN_suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 261-261
Author(s):  
Clark C Chen ◽  
Robert Rennert ◽  
Usman Khan ◽  
Stephen B Tatter ◽  
Melvin Field ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laser Ablation ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Radiation Treatment ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Invasive Procedure ◽  
Patient Discharge ◽  
Target Lesion ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay

Abstract INTRODUCTION We examined the procedural safety and length of hospital stay for patients who underwent stereotactic laser ablation (SLA). METHODS Patients undergoing stereotactic laser ablation were prospectively enrolled in the Laser Ablation of Abnormal Neurological Tissue using Robotic Neuroblate System (LAANTERN) registry. Data from the first 100 enrolled patients are presented. RESULTS >The demographic of the patient cohort consisted of 58% females and 42% males. The mean age and KPS of the cohort were 51 (±17) years and 83 (±15), respectively. 87% of the SLA-treated patients had undergone prior surgical or radiation treatment. In terms of indications, 84% of the SLAs were performed as treatment for brain tumor and 16% were performed as treatment for epilepsy. In terms of the procedure, 79% of the SLA patients underwent treatment of a single lesion. In 72% of the SLA treated patients, >90% of the target lesion was ablated. The average procedural time was 188.2 minutes (range: 48–368 minutes). The average blood loss per procedure was 17.7 cc (range: 0–300cc). In terms of hospitalization, the average length of Intensive Care stay was 38.1 hours (range 0335). The number of hours post-procedure before patient discharge was 61.1 hours (range 6–612). 85% of the patients were discharged home. There were 15 adverse events at the one-month follow-up (12%), with two events definitively related to the procedure (2%), including one patient with post-operative intraventricular hemorrhage and another with post-procedural gait compromise. CONCLUSION SLA is a minimally invasive procedure with favorable profile in terms of safety and hospital length of stay.

scholarly journals Evaluation of care for traffic accidents victims made by on duty emergency physicians and surgeons in the emergency room

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 458-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
VLAUDIMIR DIAS MARQUES ◽  
MAURICIO MEDEIROS LEMOS ◽  
CESAR ORLANDO PERALTA BANDEIRA ◽  
AMÉLIA CRISTINA SEIDEL ◽  
SANDRA MARIA PELOSO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Glasgow Coma Scale ◽  
Emergency Room ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Emergency Physicians ◽  
Surgical Specialty ◽  
Coma Scale ◽  
Minor Injuries

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the care for victims of traffic accidents by on call emergency physicians and/or surgeons in the emergency room. Methods: we conducted a retrospective, descriptive and exploratory study on the care for traffic accidents victims in the urban area of Maringá-PR, between July 2013 and July 2014 in reference hospitals. We assessed demographics and vocational training through a questionnaire sent to the attending physicians. Results: of the 688 records evaluated, 99% of patients had a prehospital Revised Trauma Score of 12. Statistical analysis showed that in the cases conducted by the emergency physicians (n=187), the recording of the Glasgow Coma Scale and the performance of surgical procedures were less common, whereas the recording of blood pressure values was performed in greater numbers when compared with cases led by surgeons (n=501). There was a statistically significant relationship (p<0.01) between the length of hospital stay and surgical specialty, with a greater chance (crude OR=28) in the period from one to six hours for the group treated by emergency doctors. Most physicians participating in the study were young, with emergency room time of up to one to two years, and with ATLS training. Among those who had attended the ATLS course, 60% did so in the last four years. Surgeons performed 73% of hospital treatments. Conclusion: in the care of traffic victims with minor injuries, the Glasgow Coma Scale, the blood pressure levels, the type of treatment in the emergency room and hospital stay had different approaches between emergency physicians and surgeons.

scholarly journals Optimization of Esophageal Ultrasound under Artificial Fish Swarm Algorithm and Its Adoption in Treatment of Ventricular Septal Defect

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Zhi Li ◽  
Guihe Chen ◽  
Feng Wang
Keyword(s):  
Ventricular Septal Defect ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Septal Defect ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Artificial Fish Swarm Algorithm ◽  
Artificial Fish Swarm ◽  
Swarm Algorithm ◽  
Experimental Group

This work was aimed at exploring the adoption value of the optimized and upgraded esophageal ultrasound in the treatment of patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD) by artificial fish swarm algorithm. A model was built based on artificial fish swarm algorithm. A random ultrasonic optical signal in the database was decomposed several times and sparsity was optimized to complete partial optimization, which was then extended to global optimization. A total of 100 patients with ventricular septal defect were divided into control group who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass under the guidance of three-dimensional thoracic ultrasound and experimental group of ventricular septal defect occlusion under the guidance of esophageal ultrasound based on artificial fish swarm algorithm. The results showed that the number of successful cases in the experimental group was 12 cases of perimembranous type, 10 cases of septal type, 7 cases of simple membranous type, 13 cases of muscular type, 4 cases of subdry type, and 2 cases of ridge type. The average length of operation after surgery was 70.65 minutes, the average length of ventilator ventilation was 125.8 minutes, and the average length of intensive care unit was 377.9 minutes. The average length of hospital stay after surgery was 5.6 days, and the average total length of hospital stay was 8.2 days, which were better than the control group in many aspects, with statistical significance ( P < 0.05 ). In short, the artificial fish swarm algorithm for esophageal ultrasound-guided ventricular septal defect closure had short operation time and good postoperative effect, which was of high application value in the clinical treatment of patients with ventricular septal defect.

scholarly journals African experiences of laparoscopic hysterectomy about a continuous series of 52 cases by the same practitioner: indications, surgical procedures and complications

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 789
Author(s):  
Koffi Abdoul Koffi ◽  
Kacou Edele Aka ◽  
Minata Fomba ◽  
Konan Seni ◽  
Apollinaire Horo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Loss ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Laparoscopic Approach ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Laparoscopic Hysterectomy ◽  
Pelvic Surgery ◽  
Continuous Series ◽  
Average Size ◽  
A Prospective Study

Background: Laparoscopy is a modern surgical technique that began in 1940 with Raoul Palmer. The present study aimed to analyse the results of a fifty-two-laparoscopic hysterectomy performed.Methods: A prospective study over a period of seven years from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2015. A total of 52 patients who underwent a laparoscopic hysterectomy were recruited at the teaching hospital of Yopougon-Abidjan.Results: The mean age was 50.2 years (±3.9 years) (36-62 years). The average parity was 3. Few patients had undergone anterior pelvic surgery for either myomectomy or caesarean section. Uterine fibroid was the major surgical indication with a rate of 61.54%. The average size of the uterus was 12 cm (8-18 cm). Total hysterectomies type II and III with or without adnexectomy were essentially performed with rates of 28.85% and 32.69%, respectively. Sometimes it was associated with a lymphadenectomy or a colpo-suspension. The average length of a hysterectomy is 170 minutes (87-385 minutes). Four cases of laparo-conversions have been noted. Blood loss was approximately 95 ml (±12 ml) with a maximum of 300 ml. The complications were mainly two digestive wounds and a bladder fistula. The average length of hospital stay is three days apart from any complication.Conclusions: The laparoscopic approach is less painful, is associated with less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, fewer complications, and better care. A training period of surgeons associated with the equipment of the health structures is necessary to popularize this procedure surgical.

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