Arbeitnehmerstatus von „locum-Ärzten“ an Krankenhäusern?

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Conservative management of a major post-intubation tracheal injury and review of current management

Tracheal rupture represents a rare but serious complication of intubation. We discuss a case of a major post-intubation rupture. After investigation with CT scan tracheoscopy and bronchoscopy a low tracheostomy was formed protecting the rupture from pressure changes associated with ventilation. The patient was managed with minimal surgical intervention, low tracheostomy with antibiotic cover and monitoring in the intensive care unit for 24 h before being woken and moved to a ward after 48 h. The patient made a full and uncomplicated recovery and was discharged 2 weeks after the original injury. Most of the literature on the subject is made up of review of case reports that conclude management of such a major tear must be with surgical repair. This however confers significant morbidity and an associated high mortality. We suggest an alternative management protocol.     

Effects of tailored feedback on multiple health behaviors

Background: The effects of tailored intervention on multiple behaviors and possible moderators of tailoring effects have not yet been sufficiently demonstrated.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a computer-tailored intervention on smoking; physical activity; and fruit, vegetable, and fat intake; and to test potential moderators of the effectiveness (BMI, age, SES, gender, motivation, and the number of behaviors for which respondents met the recommendations from national guidelines).Methods: Respondents were randomly assigned to a tailored intervention group, receiving one tailored letter on all of these behaviors, or a control intervention group, receiving one general information letter on all behaviors.Results: Three months after the baseline assessment, the tailored intervention group showed significantly better effects than the control group for all behaviors studied, except for smoking. Notably, the intervention did not enhance the health behaviors, but rather reduced a decline in these behaviors during the 3-month study interval. Effect sizes were small. No moderating factors were found, except for the number of behaviors for which recommendations were met in the tailoring intervention group on fruit consumption. The largest effects of the tailored intervention were found for fruit in respondents who did not meet the recommendations for any behavior (Cohen’s d=0.3).Conclusions: A tailored intervention on multiple behaviors had significant, but limited effects when compared to generic information. The number of bad habits influenced the effects of the tailored intervention on fruit consumption.     

Zur Vereinbarkeit von Wartelisten mit den Grundfreiheiten

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Gastric Barotrauma in a Scuba Diver: Report of a Case

Stomach rupture can occur as a consequence of the expansion of compressed air during rapid ascent after diving. We present the case of a middle-aged woman who suffered a gastric tear from surfacing too quickly after diving, and discuss the diagnosis and management of such patients by reviewing previously reported similar events. Gastric barotrauma should be suspected in divers who complain of abdominal pain, even in the absence of frank signs of peritoneal irritation. Although pneumoperitoneum is always present in these patients, it can also occur as a consequence of pulmonary barotrauma, making gastroscopy or radiological contrast studies, or both, essential for a definitive diagnosis. Surgical repair represents the treatment of choice for an active full-thickness tear and, if associated with arterial gas embolism or decompression sickness, should ideally be performed in a center where a category I (intensive care-capable) hyperbaric unit is available. Received: March 18, 2002 / Accepted: September 3, 2002 Reprint requests to: L.V. Titu     

An internet survey of 2,596 people with fibromyalgia

Background  

This study explored the feasibility of using an Internet survey of people with fibromyalgia (FM), with a view to providing information on demographics, sources of information, symptoms, functionality, perceived aggravating factors, perceived triggering events, health care utilization, management strategies, and medication use.