ABSTRACT
@#BACKGROUND: We assessed whether the paediatric-appropriate facilities were available at Emergency Departments (ED) in community hospitals in a Canadian province. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of EDs in community hospitals in Ontario, Canada that had inpatient paediatric facilities and a neonatal intensive care unit. Key informants were ED chiefs, clinical educators, or managers. The survey included questions about paediatric facilities related to environment, triage, training, and staff in EDs. RESULTS: Of 52 hospitals, 69% (n=36) responded to our survey. Of them, 14% EDs (n=5) had some separated spaces available for paediatric patients. About 53% (n=19) of EDs lacked children activities, e.g., toys. Only 11% (n=4) EDs were using paediatric triage scales and 42% (n=15) had a designated paediatric resuscitation bay. Only half of the ED (n=18) required from their staff to update paediatric life support training. Only 31% (n=11) had a designated liaison paediatrician for the ED. Paediatric social worker was present in only 8% (n=3) of EDs in community hospitals. CONCLUSION: Most of the Ontario community hospital EDs included in this survey had inadequate facilities for paediatric patients such as specific waiting and treatment areas.
ABSTRACT
CONTEXT: Current NCCN guidelines do not consider staging laparoscopy mandatory for detection of metastasis in gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) and gastric cancer. AIMS: To determine the rate of detection of metastasis on staging laparoscopy in GEJ and gastric cancer in Pakistani population and determine the prognostic significance of cytology versus biopsy positive metastatic disease. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Retrospective study conducted from January 2005 to June 2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Demographics, clinicopathological characteristics and laparoscopic findings of 149 patients were compared. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Categorical variables were represented as frequencies and percentages and significance was determined using Chi square test. Overall survival was calculated from the date of staging laparoscopy to the date of death/ last follow‑up. Survival for cytology versus biopsy positive metastatic disease was calculated using Kaplan Meier curves and significance determined with Log rank test. RESULTS: Overall, metastases were detected in 40% of patients on staging. Laparoscopy detected metastasis in significantly high number of gastric cancers (48% versus 28%) (P = 0.01). Peritoneal nodules were more frequent with gastric tumors (40% versus 23%) and also were more likely to be malignant (58% versus 35%). Expected one year survival in patients with positive cytology (peritoneal washing/ascitic fluid) was significantly higher than patients with a positive peritoneal nodule biopsy (29% versus 0) (P = 0.04). On univariate analysis this was the only significant factor for increased risk of death (P = 0.03, HR = 2.5, CI = 1.04‑5.98). CONCLUSIONS: Staging laparoscopy detects metastatic disease in a significant number of patients deemed non metastatic on preoperative imaging. Prognostically, cytology positive metastatic cancer may be different from biopsy positive cancer.