ABSTRACT
A vascular access device is defined as a catheter inserted into veins allowing fluids and medicines to be delivered intravenously1. The need for such devices in acutely unwell patients has remained steady throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe here our experience of up-skilling the resident plastic surgery and maxillofacial surgical registrars to provide a vascular access service to reduce the workload on our intensive care colleagues. We hope that our practice and an 'all hands on deck' approach to the utilisation of baseline skills within the existing workforce will inform other departments to help ease the burden on critical care departments as we progress through the next stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Surgery, Plastic , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , WorkforceSubject(s)
Craniocerebral Trauma/epidemiology , Craniofacial Abnormalities/epidemiology , Facial Injuries/epidemiology , Hospitals, Pediatric/statistics & numerical data , Referral and Consultation/statistics & numerical data , Specialties, Surgical/statistics & numerical data , Age Distribution , Child, Preschool , Cleft Palate/epidemiology , Cohort Studies , Craniosynostoses/epidemiology , Critical Pathways , Female , General Practice , Humans , Infant , Ireland , Male , Medical Audit , Neonatology , Pediatrics , Plagiocephaly/epidemiology , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome (GCPS) is an uncommon entity characterised by polysyndactyly and craniofacial features. The syndrome is not defined by classic signs. Instead there is a high variability in phenotypes observed. This is due to the large number of different mutations in the glioma-associated oncogene 3 (GLI3) that can give rise to the syndrome. We present a case series of five un-related individuals with GCPS treated in our hand surgery unit with different phenotype presentations of GCPS. CONCLUSION: An awareness of the diversity in phenotypes is important for diagnosis and early referral for genetic confirmation and counselling.
Subject(s)
Acrocephalosyndactylia/surgery , Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods , Acrocephalosyndactylia/genetics , Acrocephalosyndactylia/pathology , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/genetics , Male , Mutation/genetics , Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics , PhenotypeABSTRACT
We determined the prevalence and correlates of depression, alcohol abuse and suicidal ideation among medical and business students in Trinity College, Dublin and University College, Dublin. We rated depression and suicidal ideation in the past month with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and alcohol abuse with the CAGE. Of 539 students registered, 338 (62.7%) responded. 47 (13.9%) students were depressed, scoring > or = 10 on the BDI. 83 (24.6%) students had an alcohol use disorder (CAGE > or = 2). Alcohol abuse was more common among business students than medical students (AOR = 2.9; 95% C.I. = 1.7-5.1); there were no other inter-faculty differences. 20 (5.9%) students reported suicidal ideation in the last month. Suicidal ideation correlated positively with stressful life events (AOR = 1.4; 95% C.I.= 1.1-1.7), and negatively with social support (AOR = 0.6; 95/ C.I. =0.5-0.7). These findings suggest that students are a vulnerable group, and underscore the need for mental health education and psychosocial support services in universities.
