General practice patients in the emergency department

One of the mysteries of public policy is that at times the public discourse settles on a perspective that is based on flimsy or even contradictory evidence. One such discussion relates to the factors that contribute to the congestion of hospital emergency departments (EDs) in Australia.

Acceptability of a rice-based oral rehydration solution in Port Moresby General Hospital's Children's Outpatient Department

The guardians of children brought to the Port Moresby General Hospital's Children's Outpatient Department with a chief complaint of diarrhoeal disease were questioned regarding their preference of glucose-based vs rice-based oral rehydration solution (ORS) in order to determine the acceptability of a rice-based ORS. Of the 93 guardians interviewed, greater than 60% preferred the glucose-based solution in its mixability, appearance and taste, and 65% initially reported that their children preferred the taste of the glucose solution. However, after a 30-minute trial, only 58% of children still preferred the glucose solution. In a country where diarrhoeal disease is a leading cause of child death and guardians are the primary health care providers, the acceptability of an ORS is critical to the morbidity and mortality of Papua New Guinea's children. Killing an estimated 2.9 million children annually, diarrheal disease is the second leading cause of child mortality worldwide. Diarrheal disease is also the second leading cause of child mortality in Papua New Guinea (PNG), killing an average 193 inpatient children per year over the period 1984-90. However, despite the high level of diarrhea-related mortality and the proven efficacy of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) in managing diarrhea-related dehydration, standardized ORT has been underutilized in PNG. The current glucose-based oral rehydration solution (ORS) does not reduce the frequency or volume of a child's diarrhea, the most immediate concern of caregivers during episodes of illness. Cereal-based ORS, made from cereals which are commonly available as food staples in most countries, better address the short-term concerns of caregivers while offering a superior nutritional profile. A sample of guardians of children brought to the Port Moresby General Hospital's Children's Outpatient Department complaining of child diarrhea were asked about their preferences on glucose-based versus rice-based ORS in order to determine the acceptability of a rice-based ORS. More than 60% of the 93 guardians interviewed preferred the glucose-based solution for its mixability, appearance, and taste. 65% initially reported that their children preferred the taste of the glucose solution. However, after a 30-minute trial, only 58% of children still preferred the glucose solution.

Marine Vegetation of Cape York Peninsula. Cape York Peninsula Land Use Strategy, Office of Co-ordinator General of Queensland, Brisbane, Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories, Canberra

The Cape York Peninsula Land Use Strategy (CYPLUS) is a joint Queensland/Commonwealth initiative to provide a framework for making decisions about how to use and manage the natural resources of Cape York Peninsula in ways that will be ecologically sustainable. As part of the Natural Resources Analysis Program (NRAP) of CYPLUS, the Fisheries Division of the Queensland Department of Primary Industries has mapped the marine vegetation (mangroves and seagrasses) for Cape York Peninsula. The project ran from July 1992 to June 1994. Field work was undertaken in November 1992, May 1993, and April 1994. Final report on project: NRO6 – Marine Plan (Seagrass/Mangrove) Distribution. Dataset URL Link: Queensland Coastal Wetlands Resources Mapping data. [Dataset]

The Panamal Canal: general information

Leonard Carpenter Panama Canal Collection. Photographs: Dredging, Soldiers, and Ships. [Box 1] from the Special Collections & Area Studies Department, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida. (1 pamphlet; 15 pages)

E-books in academic libraries: an international overview

Tedd, L. A. (2005). E-books in academic libraries: an international overview. New Review of Academic Librarianship, 11(1), 57-79.

Measuring the Maturity of Open Source Software for Digital Libraries: a Case Study of DSpace

The assessment of maturity of software is an important area in the general software sector. The field of OSS also applies various models to measure software maturity. However, measuring maturity of OSS being used for several applications in libraries is an area left with no research so far. This study has attempted to fill the research gap. Measuring maturity of software contributes knowledge on its sustainability over the long term. Maturity of software is one of the factors that positively influence adoption. The investigator measured the maturity of DSpace software using Woods and Guliani‟s Open Source Maturity Model-2005. The present study is significant as it addresses the aspects of maturity of OSS for libraries and fills the research gap on the area. In this sense the study opens new avenues to the field of library and information science by providing an additional tool for librarians in the selection and adoption of OSS. Measuring maturity brings in-depth knowledge on an OSS which will contribute towards the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use as explained in the Technology Acceptance Model theory.

Testing strategies and follow-up for coeliac disease in a general internal medicine outpatient department from 2000 to 2005

PRINCIPLES: Coeliac disease (gluten sensitive enteropathy) is a genetically determined disorder with an incidence in the general population that is comparable to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Awareness of this fact and of the often atypical and oligosymptomatic manifestations is only now gaining ground in the medical profession. A high index of suspicion is important in order to minimise diagnostic and therapeutic delay. METHODS: Testing patterns and follow-up for coeliac disease in our institution have been analysed retrospectively for the past five years. The current literature was reviewed with respect to recommendations for clinical practice. RESULTS: A total of 271 patients were tested for coeliac disease over a period of five years. Only in 24 patients were positive results found; after further work-up, the final number of cases with certain or presumed coeliac disease was four. Followup was often difficult, many patients being lost after a single visit. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the number of tests ordered in our institution, more often for abdominal than atypical symptoms, has started to increase in the past two years. It also showed that screening tests have found their place in general clinical practice, while the final choice of tests needs to be determined in accordance with available guidelines and local resources. Upper endoscopy with small bowel biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis, but its place in follow-up is less certain. Coeliac disease is a disorder for which there is a definite treatment (gluten free diet); if it is left untreated diminished quality of life and potentially serious complications may ensue. Further education of the medical profession regarding coeliac disease, its incidence, presentation and treatment, is clearly indicated..

Providing health information to the general public: a survey of current practices in academic health sciences libraries*

A questionnaire was mailed to 148 publicly and privately supported academic health sciences libraries affiliated with Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)–accredited medical schools in the United States and Canada to determine level of access and services provided to the general public. For purposes of this study, “general public” was defined as nonaffiliated students or health care professionals, attorneys and other nonhealth-related professionals, patients from affiliated or other hospitals or clinics, and general consumers. One hundred five (71%) libraries responded. Results showed 98% of publicly supported libraries and 88% of privately supported libraries provided access to some or all of the general public. Publicly supported libraries saw greater numbers of public patrons, often provided more services, and were more likely to circulate materials from their collections than were privately supported libraries. A significant number of academic health sciences libraries housed a collection of consumer-oriented materials and many provided some level of document delivery service, usually for a fee. Most allowed the public to use some or all library computers. Results of this study indicated that academic health sciences libraries played a significant role in serving the information-seeking public and suggested a need to develop written policies or guidelines covering the services that will be provided to minimize the impact of this service on primary clientele.

Complications incurred because of delays in transferring patients to VA spinal cord injury treatment centers; report to the Congress [on the] Veterans Administration [and] Department of Defense by the Comptroller General of the United States.

"B-133044."

General review of operating results of the Bell system and its principal functional divisions for the years 1936 and 1937, and certain prior years, and detailed comparision of operating results of Long lines department for the years 1936 and 1937, June 1, 1938.

Reproduced from type-written copy.

The Tax code of Virginia. With all amendments enacted at the session of the General Assembly of 1928, 1930 and 1932. Published by the Department of Taxation of the Commonwealth of Virginia

Mode of access: Internet.