Mortality Statistics

Death certification reform: A case study on the potential impact on mortality statistics

Key findings

• A case study on medical examiner scrutiny of death certificates found that in 78 per cent cases the underlying cause of death remained unchanged
• The broad underlying cause of death (as defined by International Classification of Diseases chapter) changed after medical examiner scrutiny in 12 per cent of cases
• In the remaining 10 per cent of cases the underlying cause changed but remained in the same International Classification of Disease chapter
• Following scrutiny by the medical examiner, there were 1 per cent more death certificates with an underlying cause of cancer (neoplasm), and an increase of 6 per cent in the proportion that were attributed to diseases of the circulatory system
• The percentage of deaths attributed to a respiratory disease underlying cause decreased by 7 per cent after medical examiner scrutiny
• In general, more conditions were mentioned on the death certificate as a result of scrutiny by medical examiners

Get all the tables for this publication in the data section of this publication.

Open Access theses and dissertations

Students often wish to trace theses and dissertations as part of their literature review

This posting is about dissertations. These are often excellent sources of information about the latest research. Did you know you can access and download recent theses from nations worldwide?

  

EthOS http://ethos.bl.uk/Home.do is working to build a centralised store of digitised theses from UK higher education institutions. Users can register free of charge and download increasing numbers of full text PhD dissertations covering all subject areas. Note not all universities are covered.

New search functionality launches this weekend in The Cochrane Library by sumedlibrary

On September 15, Wiley will be introducing an improved search interface for The Cochrane Library. These new search features have been developed in consultation with members of the Cochrane Collaboration. Cochrane Library users will see major changes to the layout of search pages and will soon be able to use an exciting new range of search features.

In order for the new search features to be implemented, The Cochrane Library will be going into maintenance at 10am GST on Saturday, September 15. Downtime is expected to last no more than four hours. All previously saved searches will be transferred onto the new search platform with no action required on the part of customers.

Click here for further information, including a tour of the new search interface.

National Early Warning Score (NEWS) app launched

via sumedlibrary

A new App has been launched to help hospital staff use the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) to identify patients who are developing serious illnesses such as sepsis.

NEWS is in use in hospitals across Wales after being launched nationally in April. The scoring system helps staff to assess a patient’s health status and decide on the best response if a patient shows signs of deteriorating health.

The NEWS App can be downloaded from Apple’s App Store for free. It has been developed by 1000 Lives Plus in conjunction with Cardiff Medical Apps.

Dr Chris Subbe, a member of the 1000 Lives Plus Faculty who works in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, has played an instrumental role in introducing NEWS as part of the 1000 Lives Plus Rapid Response to Acute Illness (RRAILS) programme.

“It provides a standard level of response to ensure that every patient in Wales receives the same level and quality of care,” he says.

“All staff, wherever they work in a hospital, and whether they are doctors, nurses, physiotherapists or other staff, can use NEWS to assess patients.”

New Search Functionality Coming Soon to The Cochrane Library

by sumedlibrary

In the next few months Wiley will be introducing an improved search interface for The Cochrane Library. These new search features have been developed in consultation with members of The Cochrane Collaboration.

 The Cochrane Library users will see major changes to the layout of search pages and will soon be able to use an exciting new range of search features including:

 ·         Auto-suggest features within both basic and MeSH search functions

·         Updated display of search results and filtering options

·         Ability to view search terms and results on the same page

·         Ability to insert lines and add one search to one another

·         Improved MeSH look-up feature

·         Hover-over Tool Tips giving a brief explanation of the functions

All previously saved searches will be transferred onto the new search platform, with no action required on the part of customers.

The launch is the first stage of a comprehensive programme to enhance current search functionality and improve the search experience for all users of The Cochrane Library.

View a Powerpoint demonstration online or Download the PowerPoint outlining the new features.

Information from: http://www.thecochranelibrary.com/view/0/ccochnewsearch.html

Health and Social Services Statistics Newsletter

by sumedlibrary Published today by the Welsh Government is the Health and Social Services Statistics first newsletter.  It's full of useful news on forthcoming publications and developments including  ·         2011 Census - First results ·         Tobacco and Health in Wales ·         Monthly cancer waiting times http://wales.gov.uk/docs/statistics/news/120809healthnewsletteraugust2012en.pdf

NICE Alerts @ 2nd August

 Guidance in development www.nice.org.uk

• Arthritis (juvenile idiopathic, systemic) - canakinumab [ID533]
• Breast cancer (HER2 positive, metastatic) - pertuzumab (with trastuzumab and docetaxel) [ID523]
• Clinitek Microalbumin 9 reagent strips for the early detection and monitoring of kidney disease
• Faecal calprotectin diagnostic tests to differentiate inflammatory bowel disease from irritable bowel syndrome
• Hyperplasia (benign prostatic) - tadalafil [ID534]
• Implementing Vitamin D guidance
• Lung cancer (non-small-cell, second line) - erlotinib and gefitinib (rev of TA162 and TA175) [ID620]
• Lymphoma (mantle cell) - bendamustine (1st line, with rituximab) [ID609]
• Multiple myeloma - bortezomib (consolidation therapy) [ID529]
• Multiple myeloma - bortezomib (induction therapy) [ID610]
• Needle and syringe programmes (update)
• Obesity - phentermine (with topiramate) [ID543]
• Ovarian cancer - topotecan, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride, paclitaxel, trabectedin and gemcitabine for advanced recurrent disease only (Review of TA 91) [ID468]
• Overactive bladder - mirabegron [ID542]
• Sexually harmful behaviour among young people
• Sunlight exposure: benefits and safety

 

Guidance recently published by NICE www.nice.org.uk

• Adjunctive colposcopy technologies for examination of the uterine cervix - DySIS and the Niris Imaging System
• Partial replacement of the meniscus of the knee using a biodegradable scaffold
• Preventing type 2 diabetes - risk identification and interventions for individuals at high risk
• Spasticity in children and young people
• Ulcerative colitis (moderate to severe, second line) - adalimumab (terminated appraisal)
• Venous thromboembolism (treatment and long term secondary prevention) - rivaroxaban

The team behind Olympic Team GB

Extracts from the article by Susan Watts Newsnight science editor, BBC News

One team of scientists, working with Team GB, has been studying genes and sporting performance, since the late 1990s. Director of the Institute for Human Health and Performance at University College London, Prof Hugh Montgomery, has carried out groundbreaking work on genes and fitness, most notably the "ACE" gene, thought to be linked to endurance. He says genes clearly count, but they are not the whole story, and factors such as diet and training are also important.

Prof Montgomery is now working on genetic tests to try to understand why some athletes are prone to injury. Tendon injuries and stress fractures in bones are common in elite athletes, but how they happen, and why is less clear.

Diet, repetitive strain and loading are all known to play a part, and scientists say there is clearly a strong genetic element.

"We have identified one gene that we think strongly influences the risk of stress fracture, which we hopefully will be publishing on this year, but there will be many more to come," says Prof Montgomery.He is working closely with the English Institute of Sport, which aims to apply the latest in sports science and medicine for the benefit of Britain's Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Its director of sport science, Dr Ken van Someren, says he is keen to apply the latest genetics discoveries.

"If we can identify some particular genes that are associated with a higher risk of injury in certain individuals, and we think we're close, we can tailor the training, conditioning and preparation that we put those individuals through."And of course we can better inform the medical treatment they receive, should that injury occur."

But Dr Van Someren adds there is no intention to use genes as a means of selection, not least because he thinks it probably would not work.

He says although genes might tell us about the probability of success, it is not an exact science and "we could be missing out on some future champions."

Preventing Falls on Hospital Wards - The FallSafe Project

Over 280,000 patient falls are reported from hospitals and mental health units annually, costing approximately £15 million per annum. Most hospital fallers are aged over 75 years and have multiple long term and acute illnesses. Although in purely financial terms the healthcare costs of falls are only a small fraction of a percentage of trust income and expenditure, the costs to a trusts’ reputation, patient and carer confidence, and social care costs can be significant.

The FallSafe project was delivered by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) as part of the Health Foundation’s Closing the Gap Programme, which aimed to reduce the gap between best practice and routine delivery of care.
The FallSafe project involved educating, inspiring and supporting acute, rehabilitation and mental health nurses to deliver multifactorial assessments and interventions through a care bundle approach. The care bundle, the FallSafe project final report, and How to… guides for implementation comprise the Falls Prevention Resource pack, which launched on 17th July. Access the Falls Prevention Resource.

NICE ALERTS - for July

The following topics have been updated since your last alert

Go to the NICE website for details http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=byType&type=2&status=3

Acute coronary syndrome - rivaroxaban [ID532]
Anaemia (cancer-treatment induced) - erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (epoetin and darbepoetin) (inc rev TA142) [ID541]
Bronchiolitis
Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis
Electrochemotherapy for the treatment of skin cancers (basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma)
Hypercholesterolemia - mipomersen [ID524]
Magec Growth Rod for non-invasive spinal lengthening in children with early onset scoliosis
Malignant melanoma
Mental health problems in people with learning disability
Rheumatoid arthritis - adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab (TA130), certolizumab pegol (TA186), golimumab (TA225 part review), & tocilizumab (TA247) - review [ID537]
Rheumatoid arthritis - tofacitinib [ID526]
Schizophrenia or bipolar disorder - loxapine [ID479]
Transfusion
Acute upper GI bleeding
Autism in adults
Breast cancer (metastatic hormone-receptor) - lapatinib and trastuzumab (with aromatase inhibitor)
Lung cancer (non small cell, EGFR-TK mutation positive) - erlotinib (1st line)
Migraine (chronic) - botulinum toxin type A
Prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections
Prostate cancer (metastatic, castration resistant) - abiraterone (following cytoxic therapy)
Sickle cell acute painful episode
Venous thromboembolic diseases

Putting Lung Cancer on the Map

(by sumedlibrary)
http://www.roycastle.org/news-and-campaigning/Campaigns/interactive-map

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation believes that all lung cancer patients should be able to access information about their care and local lung cancer services.

This Interactive Map allows you to see how your local area performs in the delivery of key aspects of care for lung cancer patients. Click on the area that you live on the map to see a performance rating for your local Cancer Network / Trust on five key care criteria, as well as a comparison to the national benchmark.*

Info from Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation website: http://www.roycastle.org/news-and-campaigning/Campaigns/interactive-map

Quality care for older people with urgent and emergency care needs

The Silver Book — University of Leicester

Despite the majority of urgent care being delivered in the primary care setting, an increasing number of older
people are attending emergency departments and accessing urgent health and social care services. Recent national reports including from Patient UK, Care Quality Commission, NCEPOD and the Health Service Ombudsman highlighted major deficiencies in the care of older people in acute hospitals ranging from issues
around privacy and dignity to peri-operative care.

Older people are admitted to hospital more frequently, have longer length of stay and occupy more bed days in acute hospitals compared to other individual groups. There is a pressing need to change how we care for older people with urgent care needs to improve quality, outcomes and efficiency.

Read the 'Silver Book' from the University of Leicester to find out how we can do this . . .

Health information obesity: the new epidemic?

Keeping Patients Safe When They Transfer Between Care Providers

(as posted by sumedlibrary)

The report of the Keeping Patients Safe When They Transfer Between Care Providers: Getting the Medicines Right project has been published.

It follows the implementation of Royal Pharmaceutical Society guidance, endorsed by the RCN, for health professionals and commissioners to help improve transfer of information about patients' medicines when they move from one care setting to another.

The guidance was implemented between September 2011 and March 2012 by 33 volunteer organisations representing a wide cross-section of settings involved in patient care.

The new report outlines the learning from the project and makes recommendations which can be applied across the NHS. It calls for improvements to the transfer of information about medicines when patients move between care settings.

Read the report here

Press release is available here

SUNCAT

SUNCAT is the Serials Union CATalogue for the UK research community.
http://www.suncat.ac.uk

SUNCAT is a free EDINA service enabling researchers, librarians and others to locate serials held in libraries throughout the UK. The catalogue contains information on both print and electronic serials, including journals, periodicals, newspapers, newsletters, magazines, annual reports and other publications of a continuing nature.

SUNCAT currently contains serials' information from over 70 UK research libraries, including the British Library and the National Libraries of Scotland and Wales. New libraries continue to be added to the catalogue on a regular basis.