The International Journal of Integrated Care (IJIC) is an online, open-access, peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes original articles in the field integrated care on a continuous basis.IJIC has Impact Factor 2.913 (2021 JCR, received June 2022)The IJIC 20th Anniversary Issue was published 2021.

At the end of the chapter the reader should be able to: • describe the basic anatomy and physiology of the upper gastrointestinal system • briefly explain specific investigations • briefly explain causes, conditions and surgical interventions • give examples of assessment procedures for patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery • highlight specific preand postoperative management • giv...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Stroke units improve outcome for stroke patients. Comparative controlled studies between stroke units are required to determine which components of stroke unit rehabilitation influence outcome and which may be investigated further in randomized controlled trials. This study compares 2 stroke units with regard to the effect differences in practice have on functional recove...

Increasing numbers of older patients require Emergency admission under General Surgery (EGS). This is a group of heterogeneous and often complex individuals with varying degrees of multimorbidity, polypharmacy, functional, mobility and cognitive impairment. Our article describes the benefits of comprehensive assessment coupled with patient-centred multiprofessional interventions and timely disc...

Background Enhanced recovery programmes (ERP) reduce hospital stay and improve outcomes through a structured approach to perioperative care. We present our tailored protocol and results for first time AVR and CABG patients enrolled on ERP. Key elements are optimising co-morbidities, discharge planning, reduced starvation with carbohydrate loading. Intra-op focus is on minimally invasive techniq...

OBJECTIVES Ward round documentation provides one of the most important means of communication between healthcare professionals. We aimed to establish if the use of a problem based standardised proforma can improve documentation in acute surgical receiving. METHODS Gold standards were established using the RCSE record keeping guidelines. We audited documentation for seven days using the follow...