ABSTRACT
Abstract Objective Currently priority for colonoscopy is given to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Surveillance colonoscopies place a significant demand on the service. These are held on a separate waiting list in our institution, which is currently several years behind. The purpose of this study was to apply the BSG guidelines to this waiting list in our institution in order to ascertain whether patients are appropriately listed. Method This was a retrospective review. The patients on the waiting list whose procedures were due in 2004 and 2005 formed the study group. Information on demographics, previous colonoscopies, and indication was taken from the case notes. Results were analysed using Microsoft Excel. Results A total of 172 patients were overdue their colonoscopies. If the BSG guidelines were strictly adhered to, 49% of these patients were inappropriately listed. If applied less rigidly, 42% of patients should not have been on the list. The reasons for removal from the list were as follows: Thirty-nine patients were older than the upper age limit, 23 had had clear colonoscopies after adenomatous polyp follow up, four were listed for diverticular disease follow up, four for metaplastic polyps, one for constipation and one for per rectum (PR) bleed follow up. Conclusion With strict application of the BSG guidelines to a surveillance colonoscopy waiting list, 49% of the patients on the list do not need the procedure. It is recommended that consultant led education and control of the waiting list be used to reduce unnecessary investigations.
Subject(s)
Colonoscopy , Guideline Adherence , Waiting Lists , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Colonoscopy/methods , Colonoscopy/standards , Gastroenterology , Humans , Middle Aged , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Retrospective Studies , Societies, Medical , Time Factors , United KingdomABSTRACT
The Infectious Diseases Unit of the Department of Human Services, Victoria, reported an increased incidence of Salmonella infections in early 1997. To 21 April 1997, 944 notifications had been received, passing the previous year's total of 915. Five outbreaks of five separate serovars have been investigated and traced to their sources. The outbreaks, their sources and the control measures undertaken are described. Further clusters of other Salmonella serovars are being investigated.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Salmonella Food Poisoning/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Middle Aged , Victoria/epidemiologySubject(s)
Faculty, Medical/supply & distribution , Schools, Medical/economics , England , Follow-Up Studies , London , WalesABSTRACT
Ocular mucin (mucus) development in the mouse was examined using several different fixatives and scanning electron microscopy. One of the fixatives, a picric acid--paraformaldehyde-glutaraldehyde (PA-P-G) preparation which fixes mucin at the adult mouse corneal surface, first demonstrated mucin at the surface of the pup cornea and conjunctiva at postnatal day 10. The mucus was scant, strand-like as well as granular in morphology and did not form smooth patches as in the adult. Thus, mucin is present at the ocular surface well before the mouse eye opens (day 14-15). Its presence is essential to ensure tear film stability, corneal wettability and possibly to protect the eye from bacterial and viral insult.
