Dressings that employ a clear film and have a high moisture vapour transmission rate have been shown to reduce both the rate of blistering and wound discharge. The additional expense inherent in using such dressings may, in reality, prove cost-effective because of the reduced need for dressings changes and the subsequent earlier discharge of these patients from hospital with an uncomplicated wound.
Pelvic rami fractures in the elderly are nearly always associated with posterior ring injuries. This probably explains why these patients take longer to rehabilitate than might be expected if only the anterior injury is considered, and it also explains why they experience long-term back pain.
INTRODUCTION A consultant-led service for trauma in the UK has become the accepted norm. Practice in fracture clinics may vary widely between consultants and has an impact on the number of patients seen and, therefore, the time devoted to each patient.PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 945 patients attending our unit's fracture clinics were analysed over a 6-week period, representing one complete cycle of our trauma system. RESULTS The overall discharge rate was 38% but this differed significantly between consultants. Patients re-presenting for the same complaint were evenly distributed between those discharging aggressively and those re-reviewing regularly.CONCLUSIONS Re-reviewing patients has a significant impact on the number of patients seen in future clinics and, therefore, the time that can be devoted to each patient, individual consultant workload and teaching of junior staff. Since the re-presentation rate between those discharging aggressively and those re-reviewing more frequently was the same, discharge protocols are recommended for common trauma conditions to standardise the process. Specialist clinics are recommended for more complex trauma cases.
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