Summary Objective The purpose of this study was to compare body composition measurements estimated by multi‐frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF‐BIA) with air displacement plethysmography (ADP) in individuals with obesity. Methods Bariatric patients were recruited from Geisinger's Center for Nutrition and Weight Management Clinic in Danville, Pennsylvania. Sixty‐two participants (age = 52.4 ± 9.3 years; body mass index = 38.9 ± 8.0 kg m −2 ) reported for a same‐day testing visit. Body composition was measured using a common MF‐BIA analyzer (InBody 720, Biospace Co., Beverly Hills, CA) and ADP. Results Strong relationships were observed between MF‐BIA and ADP methods ( r = 0.88–0.96, P < 0.001). There were no differences between MF‐BIA and ADP measures of per cent body fat, fat mass or fat‐free mass for the total sample or when examined by gender. Conclusions The InBody 720 MF‐BIA analyzer produced body composition measurements that were similar to ADP supporting the use of this technology in the obese population.

The Pollock 3-site method estimates body fat percentage with comparable accuracy to JP7 using ULTRA.

Douglas 2015, Provisional report on diving-related fatalities in Australian waters 2010, Diving and hyperbaric medicine, vol. 45, no. 3, pp. 154-175. This is the published version.Abstract (Lippmann J, Lawrence CL, Wodak T, Fock A, Jamieson S, Walker D, Harris R. Provisional report on diving-related fatalities in Australian waters 2010. Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine. 2015 September;45(3):154-175.) Introduction: An individual case review was conducted of known diving-related deaths that occurred in Australia in 2010. Method: The case studies were compiled using statements from witnesses and reports of the police and coroners. In each case, the particular circumstances of the accident and details from the post-mortem examination, where available, are provided. A root cause analysis was made for each case. Results: There were 20 reported fatalities, one less than the previous year. Five of the victims were female (four scuba divers) and 15 were males. Twelve deaths occurred while snorkelling and/or breath-hold diving, seven while scuba diving (one of whom was using a rebreather), and one diver died while using surface supplied breathing apparatus. At least two breath-hold divers likely drowned as a result of apnoeic hypoxia. Cardiac-related issues were thought to have contributed to the deaths of at least three and possibly fi ve snorkellers, and of at least one, possibly two compressed gas divers. Conclusions: Snorkelling or diving alone, poor supervision, apnoeic hypoxia, pre-existing medical conditions, lack of recent experience and unfamiliar and/or poorly-functioning equipment were features in several deaths in this series. Reducing delays to CT-scanning and autopsy and coroners' reports documenting that the victim of a drowning was snorkelling or scuba diving at the time are aspects of the investigation of these fatalities that could be improved.

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BackgroundOpioid conversion is complex and currently performed manually using tables of approximate equivalence, often in high pressure clinical situations. Apps that offer opioid dose conversion are available but there are concerns about their accuracy, reliability, and clinical validation.AimThe study evaluated a novel opioid dose conversion app, The Safer Prescription of Opioids Tool (SPOT), as a clinician decision support (CDS) platform. The secondary objective was to use SPOT to describe patterns of opioid dose conversion in palliative and end-of-life care.MethodThis prospective clinical utility single-centre pilot study followed a mixed methods design. Prescribers completed an initial survey exploring their current opioid prescribing practice. Thereafter prescribers used SPOT for opioid dosage conversions in parallel to their usual clinical practice. Lastly, prescribers evaluated SPOT through a survey and focus group. SPOT was evaluated using clinical data across primary, secondary and tertiary care in palliative care and end of life care settings at a Scottish Health Board in both out-of-hours and in-hours.ResultsSPOT correctly matched the Gold Standard result in 258 of 268 (96.3%) calculations. Users had a statistically significant increase in confidence in prescribing opioids after using SPOT. A majority (62%) of conversions were for cancer pain. Focus group feedback highlighted perceived benefits in Quality Improvement and Safety when using SPOT.ConclusionSPOT is a safe, reliable and validated CDS that has significant potential to reduce harms from opioid dosing errors, particularly in primary care, including rural primary care, and the out-of-hours setting.