SUMMARYIn the UK, people of South Asian origin are at more than twice the risk of end-stage renal failure encountered in the Caucasian population but are under-represented among organ donors. Difficulties with matching mean that few donated kidneys are suitable for transplantation to South Asian recipients. A survey of attitudes in 100 South Asian adults was conducted in the main street of Southall, Middlesex. 90 of those questioned were aware of organ transplantation and 69 had heard about donor cards. However, the 16% who carried a donor card was lower than the 28% reported in the general population. The main reason for the low organ donation rate by South Asians seemed to be lack of knowledge, and this could be remedied by more targeting of information in the Asian media.
The current diagnostic and inpatient procedure coding system, International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM), has been used in the United States since 1979. The coding system has become insufficient because of many medical and technological improvements that have occurred since then. On September 20, 2013, the US health care system will assign the final ICD-9-CM code. The new system, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification, Procedure Classification System, will become effective on October 1, 2013, including more codes and other differences. Although October 2013 is the implementation deadline, facilities should start preparing for the change at this time. A thorough understanding of the new official guidelines is key to a successful transition from ICD-9-CM to International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification, Procedure Classification System. As we are embracing 1 of the greatest health care changes in 30 years, specific considerations are offered for initiating implementation and ensuring a smooth transition.
Psychiatric symptoms in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) can include anxiety and affective lability, which require treatment to improve functional outcomes. Three cases in which modest doses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), alone or in combination with anticonvulsants, reduced symptoms of anxiety and affective lability during acute rehabilitation of GBS are presented. These agents were both more effective and better tolerated than benzodiazepines and appeared to facilitate engagement in rehabilitation therapies, including psychotherapy. Further investigation of the pharmacotherapy of neuropsychiatric disturbances in this population using prospective, blinded, placebo-controlled methods is recommended.
An 81-year-old man, admitted under the Ear, Nose and Throat Team with persistent epistaxis, developed an acute confusional state. He was previously physically independent and mentally competent. Immediate investigations did not reveal a cause for his deterioration. He eventually made a full recovery and returned home. Subsequently, his serum bismuth level was noted to be within the toxic range and was felt to have been the cause of his confusional state.
On September 30, 2014, the US health care system will assign the last International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code. The new system, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System, will become effective on October 1, 2014. A 3-question prepresentation and postpresentation survey was completed by attendants at 11 workshops on the new system; this article discusses the results of the surveys, revealing what coders and billing staff are saying about the new International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision system.
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