Bidirectional relationships between future time perspective and alcohol use: an exploratory study in a clinical setting

Abstract

Gaining a better grasp on factors related to changes in alcohol use is of particular interest for clinicians. Past research has highlighted a negative link between future time perspective (i.e. a disposition guiding how individuals consider and act regarding their future) and alcohol misuse. However, much remains at stake in the understanding of this association. The objective of this research was to explore bidirectional relationships between future time perspective and severity of alcohol-related problems, in a clinical setting. The sample includes 79 patients followed up in an outpatient alcohol treatment centre. Two measurement times were planned: at entry into care and 6 months later. Multiple linear regression analyses were carried out, controlling for sociodemographic variables. We found that baseline future time perspective predicted level of alcohol-related problems after 6 months in treatment, even when effects of baseline alcohol-related problems and sociodemographic variables were controlled. This study shows that the way patients see and position themselves regarding their future can affect level of alcohol-related problems. It may be useful for clinicians to identify patients with low future time perspective to offer tailored interventions and consider this dimension as a resource for change.     

Use of paracervical analgesia for outpatient hysteroscopic surgery: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Twenty-five women receiving sedation for outpatient hysteroscopic polypectomy were injected with 0.25% bupivacaine 10 mL (paracervical group) and another 25 received the same volume of saline (control group) at the cervical fornix. Both groups were given target-controlled propofol sedation during the procedure. More propofol (mg/min) was needed for adequate anesthesia in the control group compared to the paracervical group (6.5 versus 4.6). In addition, the postoperative pain scores were lower in the paracervical group than in the control group. Hemodynamic changes and postoperative side effects were similar in the two groups. This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study confirmed the effective use of paracervical blocks. This approach has the effect of reducing the amount of intraoperative propofol and decreasing postoperative pain in outpatient hysteroscopic surgery.     

应用秩和比法研究门诊人数增长与门诊医疗质量因子的关系

目的研究医院门诊人数增长与门诊医疗质量因子的关系,找出影响门诊人数增长的主要门诊医疗质量因子。方法利用秩和比法对实例进行分析。结果影响门诊人数增长的门诊质量因子,首先是高中级职称比(χ2=32.43,P<0.05),其次是副高以上职称的坐诊工时比(χ2=31.91,P<0.05),再次是新技术项目或重大改革(χ2=28.54,P>0.05)。结论研究医院门诊人数增长与门诊医疗质量因子的关系时,秩和比法有应用推广的价值。     

Outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a reality.

BACKGROUND: The author reports on his personal experience with outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), focusing on the main guidelines for preoperative and postoperative care and operating technique. METHODS: From January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2000, 71 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed on outpatients. The patients remained in the outpatient surgery center for 36 hours. In 4 cases, the operation was converted into laparotomy. Twenty patients remained in the hospital and were discharged 5 to 7 days later. Twelve were rehospitalized due to pathologies that could not be treated at home. RESULTS: In all 71 cases, a complete remission of the symptoms occurred, and none of the patients died either during the operation or during the postoperative period. Eighty percent of patients were treated in outpatient surgery centers. CONCLUSIONS: With clear guidelines, LC is a major surgical operation that can be performed in outpatient surgery centers without death or other major complications and with very good remission of symptoms.     

Ambulatory total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair: feasibility and impact on quality of life.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Feasibility of ambulatory laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in developing countries is not known due to lack of dedicated outpatient centers. This study prospectively evaluated the feasibility of outpatient discharge after laparoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair done in combination with in-hospital services and its impact on quality of life. METHODS: Forty patients were studied who had uncomplicated inguinal hernias and fulfilled the selection criteria. Quality of life was evaluated by using the SF-12 questionnaire. RESULTS: Ninety percent of patients could be discharged as outpatients. Four patients required admission. No major complications or readmissions occurred. Physical components of quality of life deteriorated in the immediate postoperative period but improved to above preoperative levels within one month. A transient deterioration in subgroups of the mental health component was observed, which recovered to normal in less than a week. There was no significant alteration in the emotional component. There has been no recurrence at a median follow-up of 25 months. CONCLUSION: It was feasible to safely perform outpatient TEP in combination with routine in-hospital services without increasing complications or causing any adverse impact on quality of life. This was possible subject to adherence to proper selection and discharge criteria.     

广西5个县（市）级医院腹泻病门诊病人的调查分析

为了解医院腹泻病门诊病人分布、诊断和治疗情况，对广西５个腹泻病控制规划县（市）级医院１９９５年６月１日￣１５日腹泻病门诊登记的资料进行分析。５个医院腹泻病人共１０５１人，其中男性占５２．０％，女性占４７．９％；以肠炎最高占７９．７％，其次痢疾占２０．２％；轻度脱水病人占４６．７％，无脱水病人占３７．９％；以〈５岁儿童发病数最高，占２８．８％，静脉输液使用率为１８．８５％，口服补液盐（ＯＲＳ）使用率     

Initial results of a prospective trial of outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: Whether or not laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be performed safely as an outpatient procedure is controversial. In 1993, a protocol for outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy was instituted to determine the benefits and safety of discharging patients within several hours of surgery. Methods: The initial 60 outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed by one surgeon in a hospital-based outpatient teaching facility between February 1993 to June 1996 were prospectively studied. Results: Fifty-eight (97%) patients were discharged successfully after an average stay in the recovery room of 3 h. There were no deaths. Two patients required overnight observation and three patients required readmission. Two patients (3%) had cystic duct leak. The average hospital stay for all patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the institution (inpatient and outpatient) decreased from 3.2 to 1.5 days and the average hospital cost decreased from $7,800 to $4,600 during this period. Conclusion: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in an outpatient setting is safe and cost-effective in healthy patients. Received: 3 April 1997/Accepted: 10 June 1997     

Mortality Rates and Predictors of Mortality Among Late-Middle-Aged and Older Substance Abuse Patients

This study describes mortality rates and predictors of mortality among late-middle-aged and older (55+) substance abuse inpatients ( n = 21, 139) in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers in the 4 years after an index episode of care. A total of 24% of the patients died; this mortality rate was 2.64 times higher than expected. Predictors of earlier mortality included older age and nonmarried status, alcohol psychosis and organic brain disorder diagnoses, and several medical diagnoses, including neoplasms, liver cirrhosis, respiratory, endocrine and metabolic, and blood system disorders. Three proxy indicators of illness severity also predicted mortality: more prior inpatient and outpatient medical care and an index episode in an extended care unit. In contrast, more prior outpatient mental health care and remitted status predicted lower mortality. These diagnostic and treatment indicators can be used to identify patients at heightened risk for premature mortality. Moreover, they show that intensive mental health aftercare and remission of substance abuse may delay mortality, even among older patients who have longstanding substance abuse problems.     

安徽省繁昌,铜陵两县门诊抗生素使用分析

在安徽省繁昌与铜陵两县2532名门诊病人访问中,抗生素的使用比例平均为53.l％,抗生素使用种数平均为0.75种,针剂使用比例平均为48.4％,与其他国家的研究结果相比都处于偏高水平。在抗生素使用的种类中,以青霉素类为主,占所有抗感染药物的27.7％。单因素分析结果表明:男性的抗生素使用比例比女性高;随着年龄的增长抗生素使用比例、使用种数与针剂使用比例都是先下降而后上升;学生病人这三种指标都偏高;随着文化水平的提高,这三种指标都有下降的倾向;医疗保险病人抗生素使用比例处于高水平,而自费病人针剂使用比例最高;与乡镇卫生院及村卫生室相比,县医院这三种指标都处于低水平;而儿科病人这三种指标都处于高水平。多因素分析结果表明:县医院、去医院的目的是看病、教育程度、农民、妇产科、文教卫生人员、外科、预防接种及离、退休人员等因素对抗生素使用的数量都有影响,但仅看病这项因素是正向作用,而其他因素都是负向作用。     

应用计算机网络系统提高门急诊管理水平

作者介绍的门急诊计算机管理网络系统，应用软件使用ＦＯＸＰＲＯ２．５ＦＯＲＤＯＳ语言，在两台网络服务器之间应用镜像技术，门诊号的录入使用光笔和条形码技术，实行划价、收费一体化，采用星型拓扑网络结构，保证了网络的先进性、安全性、稳定性和可扩充性。网络系统实现挂号、划价收费、调剂、药品使用管理、工作量统计及经济核算的全程闭环管理格局，有效地堵塞了管理和经济上的漏洞，提高了工作效率和管理水平。该系统已正常运行了１２个月，并通过省级科技成果鉴定。