Short Reports
Potential of national/regional datasets to support targeted service planning
Hayes et al. have surveyed national/regional health data sets. They found that there are gaps in variables that could enable health care planning.
O’Donoghue and Doran report that the relationship between the T7 spinous process and the inferior angle of the scapula is unreliable. The authors suggest that for thoracic epidural anaesthesia, ultrasound or fluoroscopy should be used for accurate identification.
Original Research
Consequences of the Crisis in Social Care for Older Hospital Inpatients with Frailty
Ahmed et al. report on the risk of hospital associated complications (HAC) in older patients waiting discharge home. For every additional day of waiting the HAC increases 4%.
Assessment of increased General Practitioner access to diagnostic imaging
Shaji et al. report a series of 100 patients with hip fractures over an 8 month period. In 32% of cases the surgery didn’t take place within 36 hours. The mean LOS was 14.8 days.
McMahon et al. have assessed the implications of the changes to the staging of cutaneous melanoma. The authors calculate that the new guidelines an additional 110 body and CT scans could be required annually. The impact of these changes on patient outcomes will need to be monitored.
Latest Editorials
General Paediatric Surgery: A Model of Care for Ireland 2024
Mealy reports on the revised Model of Care 2024 for GPS in Ireland. Currently, 21 hospitals provide GPS. Challenges in the provision of GPS include difficulty appointing non-specialist surgeons in regional and local areas.
Cass Report and Implications for Transgender Youth and Services in ROI
Ryan et al. discuss the Cass Report and the implications for gender diverse youth and services in ROI.
The role of Medical Imaging in the Investigation of Nitrous Oxide Toxicity
Keady and Torregiani discuss the growing use of Nitrous Oxide (N20) as a recreational drug by Irish children and adolescents. Its rapid increase in use and prevalence has led to the need for greater MRI capacity.
Case Series
Sternal plating for traumatic sternal non-union
Kehoe et al. describe the management of 2 cases of sternal non-union fractures by fixation with locking compression plates.
