Complications requiring ICU care represent a significant morbidity in the colectomy patient population. Frailty index seems to be an important predictor of ICU-level complications and death, and laparoscopy seems to be protective.

This is the first study to report mortality data and expected survival curves for major abdominal surgery in the octogenarian population. Our data prove that it is safer than previously thought to operate on the elderly. Our mortality data and survival curves provide real data for the surgeon to be able to risk stratify and discuss predicted outcomes with consultants, patients, and families.

Depending on what the decision-maker accepts as the recurrence and reoperation rates for these types of repair, either mesh or primary repair may be the treatment of choice. However, the differences between the two are small, and, perhaps, clinically inconsequential.

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required before we can definitely say that the difference is due to the mobility of the cation in the film. We are currenly repeating the current-pulse experiment using Bu4NBF4 as the supporting electrolyte.The apparent diffusion coefficients obtained from the finite diffusion regime are consistently larger than the £>app's from the semiinfinite regime (Table II). Rubinstein et al. applied the method described here to an electrode coated with a redox polymer film and noted a similar discrepancy; however, in their case Z>apPiF was a factor of 3 less than Dappj.20a Rubinstein et al. account for this observation by postulating the existence of two uncoupled diffusion pathways within the polymer film.208 This explanation could, in principle, account for the trend in the data observed here.Electron micrographs of electrochemically synthesized polypyrrole clearly show that the polypyrrole surface is not smooth.268,31 if the surface topological features are significant relative to the average film thickness, the film will clearly not be of uniform thickness. Furthermore, because the profilometer stylus is too large to fit into the crevices between surface topological features, the thickness measured is probably the maximum thickness (i.e., the locus of points most distant from the substrate Pt electrode surface). Because Z)app-F is proportional to l2, this overestimated

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Learning Objectives: From the relatives' perspective, communication is assumed to be one of the most important factors in the perceived quality of care in the intensive care unit (ICU). In order to meet the communication needs, and consequently improve the quality of care, new interventions have been introduced to support the relatives. These interventions included an intake to provide information and to consider the emotional impact, an ICU-webportal with personalized information, encouragement to keep a diary, and a weekly psychosocial round. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the implemented interventions on behalf of the relatives in the ICU. Methods: A time-trend design was used to analyze the perceived quality of care before (2012) and after (2013) the introduced interventions. The recently developed Consumer Quality Index 'Relatives in the ICU' was used for both measurements. Two convenience samples of relatives of ICU patients from Erasmus MC, an academic hospital in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, were included with a total of 282 and 187 respondents respectively. Results: Survey data from 211 relatives (78% net response rate in 2012) and 123 relatives (68% net response rate in 2013) were used for the analysis. The two groups were significantly similar in age, education, ethnic background, relationship to the patient, and own health indication. The second measurement showed significant improvements in regard to the provided information, such as writing in a diary, clarity in what way to participate in the care of the patient, and being a partner in shared-decision making. The item ´Did the professionals pay attention to what you needed?´ raised from 41.7% of the respondents with ´always´ or ´mostly´ in 2012, to 80.5% in 2013. Although not statistically significant, the mean scoring of communication with intensivists and nurses, as well as general support, increased. Conclusions: The results of this study suggested a positive influence on the perceived quality of care caused by the additional support offered to the relatives.