Medication management in people with Parkinson's disease during surgical admissions.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) may experience problems in hospital, with their medication being withheld or inappropriate medication being prescribed. Since surgical admissions present particular risks, the authors examined the management of patients with PD on surgical wards. METHODS: All patients with PD admitted to surgical departments in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary during an 18-month period were identified. Medical and nursing notes were reviewed retrospectively, and drug prescription and administration were studied in detail. All documented complications were recorded. RESULTS: 59 surgical admissions (51 receiving PD medication, median duration 6 days) were studied. 71% had missed doses of PD medication, with 34% missing over 10% of prescribed doses. Values were similar for levodopa and agonists. Overall, 12% of all prescribed PD medication was missed (mean 0.7 missed doses per patient per day). No reason for missed doses was recorded in 64% of cases, while inappropriate reasons included 'out of stock' (12%) and 'nil by mouth' (8%). Centrally acting antidopaminergic drugs (mainly antiemetics) were prescribed in 41% of cases, and administered in 22%. Complications, most commonly neuropsychiatric, were documented in 69% of non-day-case admissions. CONCLUSION: Poor prescribing and incomplete drug administration are common in patients with PD on surgical wards. Measures to improve management are identified.

'Not taken in by media hype': how potential donors, recipients and members of the general public perceive stem cell research.

BACKGROUND: Views of embryo donors, scientists and members of the general public on embryonic stem cell research (eSCR) have been widely reported. Less is known about views of potential beneficiaries of stem cell therapy and the influence of media 'hype' on perceptions of eSCR among different groups of stakeholders. This study aimed to examine the perceptions of members of the general public as well as two patient groups likely to benefit from eSCR and to explore the role of the media in shaping these views. METHODS: A qualitative study carried out in Aberdeen, Scotland included 15 people living with Parkinson's disease (PD), 15 people living with diabetes mellitus (DM), 15 couples with infertility and 21 members of the general public who volunteered for the study. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically using grounded theory. RESULTS: The two patient groups likely to benefit from eSCR in the future differed in their knowledge (mainly gained from the media) and understanding of eSCR. Those living with PD were older, more debilitated and better informed than those with DM who showed limited interest in potential future benefits of eSCR. Infertile couples learnt about eSCR from health professionals who explained the process of embryo donation to them, and had sought no further information. Most of the general public had accessed information on eSCR and believed themselves to be more discerning than others because of their objectivity, intelligence and 'scientific awareness'. Although, the media and internet were primary sources of information for all except couples with infertility, members of all four groups claimed not to be taken in by the media 'hype' surrounding eSCR. CONCLUSIONS: Those who expected to benefit from eSCR in the future as well as members of the general public differ in their susceptibility to media 'hype', while believing that they are not taken in by exaggerated claims of benefits. As respondents were a selected group who were not drawn from a representative sample, the findings cannot be generalized to a wider population.