BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of acute hospital admissions. The main object of our study was to evaluate the effects of telemedicine video-consultation (TVC) on the frequency of hospital re-admissions due to COPD exacerbations. Our secondary aim was to assess the impact of TVC on the length of re-admission stays within 6 and 12 months follow up after T...

BACKGROUND Diabetic patients are commonly hyperglycaemic on presentation. Admission hyperglycaemia is associated with adverse outcomes, particularly prolonged hospitalisation. Improving inpatient glycaemia may reduce length of hospital stay (LOS) in diabetic patients. AIMS To determine whether in-hospital recognition and treatment of admission hyperglycaemia in diabetic patients is associated...

Demographic Trends NEARLY half the patients admitted to general wards of hospitals today are over the age of 60 (Lancet, I963); the average age of patients admitted to Geriatric Units varies between 75 and 80, and in the Sunderland Geriatric Unit over onethird of all the admissions are over 80 years. The number of operations performed on patients of 60 and over (excluding orthopaedic and urolog...

BACKGROUND Hospitalisation for adversity-related injury (violent, drug/alcohol-related, or self-inflicted injury) has been described as a "teachable moment", when intervention may reduce risks of further harm. Which adolescents are likely to benefit most from intervention strongly depends on their long-term risks of harm. We compared 10-y risks of mortality and re-admission after adversity-rela...

BACKGROUND There is some evidence that quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may predict clinical outcomes and use of resources. This study examined whether QOL scores could prospectively predict re-admission for COPD or death within 12 months of an original admission, and whether QOL scores predicted home nebuliser provision. METHODS The study wa...

BACKGROUND Data relating to hospital admissions of very young children for wheezing illness have been conflicting. Our primary aim was to assess whether a previous increase in hospital admissions for lower respiratory illness had continued in young Swedish children. We have included re-admissions in our analyses in order to evaluate the burden of lower respiratory illness in very young children...

Abstract Aim Acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (AUD) has been traditionally managed by inpatient admission for bowel rest, intravenous antibiotics, and fluids. World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) updated their guidelines in 2020 recommending that patients with AUD no significant co-morbidities or immunocompromise should be treated an ambulatory setting. This full audit cycle aimed to ass...