ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Patient beds in corridors because of limited room capacity is a well-known phenomenon in many Norwegian hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to all departments of internal medicine in Norway (n = 62) in 1998 and in 1999. RESULTS: Nearly 50 of 60 departments had to use patient beds in corridors regularly. There was no change in the number of such beds from 1998 to 1999. INTERPRETATION: The use of patient beds in corridors of departments of internal medicine in Norwegian hospitals in extensive.
Subject(s)
Bed Occupancy , Hospital Bed Capacity , Bed Occupancy/statistics & numerical data , Hospital Bed Capacity/statistics & numerical data , Hospital Departments/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Internal Medicine , Norway , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Because of the limited capacity in Norwegian hospitals, many patient beds are located in corridors. Does this affect quality of care and patient integrity? MATERIAL AND METHODS: The National Board of Health sent a questionnaire to all Norwegian hospitals with departments of internal medicine (n = 62). The questionnaire had statements on how corridor patients affect quality of care and patient integrity. We asked the head doctor and head nurse to fill in the questionnaire together. 60 questionnaires (97%) were returned. RESULTS: There was 88%-100% agreement to the following statements: Corridor patients reduce quality of care and increase risk of mistakes and accidents. The risk of infections increases. Time spent per patient by doctor and nurse is reduced. These drawbacks affect all patients, but corridor patients the most. The quality of professional and personal conversation is reduced. Some corridor patients do all their personal hygiene in the corridor. Corridor patients' diagnosis can be recognised by passing persons. INTERPRETATION: The results document that having in-patients in corridors has a negative effect on quality of care and patient integrity.
Subject(s)
Bed Occupancy , Hospital Bed Capacity , Attitude of Health Personnel , Confidentiality , Female , Humans , Male , Norway , Nurses/psychology , Patient Admission , Patient Advocacy , Patient Discharge , Patient Satisfaction , Physicians/psychology , Quality of Health Care , Surveys and QuestionnairesSubject(s)
Bed Occupancy , Hospital Bed Capacity , Humans , Length of Stay , Norway , Patient Admission , Patient DischargeABSTRACT
Introducing a new diagnostic tool, a CT scanner, in a county hospital resulted in a marked redistribution of the handling of acute/severe head injuries. Before the introduction of the CT scanner, a substantial number of these patients were referred to the regional neurosurgical unit. After having acquired its own scanner, the county hospital took over most of the diagnostic and therapeutic tasks concerning acute head injuries, surgery inclusive. This change in policy resulted in more patients surviving without sequelae, and reduced the average latency to surgery. The proportion of operated patients increased considerably, from 23% to 64%. In a relatively large proportion of the patients, there were complications with continuous ICP monitoring using the subdural bolt. This procedure was therefore discontinued. In spite of the improved results caused by the observed redistribution, the study indicates a need for additional training of the county hospital staff.
Subject(s)
Craniocerebral Trauma/diagnostic imaging , Hospitals, County , Hospitals, Public , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Accidental Falls , Accidents, Traffic , Acute Disease , Craniocerebral Trauma/mortality , Craniocerebral Trauma/surgery , Female , Humans , Intracranial Pressure , Male , Monitoring, Physiologic/adverse effects , Norway , Quality of Health Care , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Hyperbaric solutions of 0.5% bupivacaine and 0.5% amethocaine (2 and 3 ml) were compared in a double-blind study of 40 patients receiving subarachnoid anaesthesia for urological surgery. The drugs produced similar and satisfactory analgesia in the tested concentrations and volumes. Motor blockade was more profound and longer lasting with amethocaine.
Subject(s)
Anesthesia, Spinal , Bupivacaine , Tetracaine , Aged , Bupivacaine/administration & dosage , Bupivacaine/pharmacology , Clinical Trials as Topic , Double-Blind Method , Drug Administration Schedule , Hemodynamics/drug effects , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prostatectomy , Random Allocation , Specific Gravity , Tetracaine/administration & dosage , Tetracaine/pharmacology , Time FactorsABSTRACT
The effects of 0.5% bupivacaine 1.5, 2 and 3 ml in 8% glucose was compared in a double-blind study involving 30 patients undergoing spinal analgesia. The time to the onset of maximum segmental spread of analgesia was approximately 15 min for all three volumes. Cephalad spread of analgesia was related to the volume used: 1.5 ml reached T10, 2 ml T8 and 3 ml T7. The duration of analgesia increased with increasing volume, 3 ml producing analgesia in T8-T12 for 1.5-2 h, and in the lumbar region for 2.5-3 h. Increasing the volume increased the extent of motor blockade and speeded up its onset. Significant decreases in arterial pressure were observed in the 2- and 3-ml groups. The changes in heart rate were moderate and not correlated with the amount of drug. Spinal headache occurred in two patients.
