Are Radiology request forms adequately filled in? : an audit assessing local practice

Background: Radiology request forms are essential communication tools used by doctors referring patients for radiological investigations. Their importance, however, is highly underestimated. We set out to perform a process audit of the adequacy of completion of such request forms in St. Luke's Hospital, Malta. Methods: A representative sample of 200 randomly selected request forms received by the radiology department in early September 2004 was reviewed. These included requests for a variety of examinations from different departments within St. Luke's Hospital. A database of the collected forms was created, noting which of the various fields were adequately completed. Results: Only 4% of the 200 request forms reviewed were completed in full. The percentages of the various fields completed were: patient's name and surname - 100%; patient's full address - 77%; patient's age - 29%; referring ward - 95%; referring doctor's signature - 100%; referring doctor's name and surname - 34%; name of responsible consultant - 91%; question to be answered - 25%. The patient's clinical background field was filled in 93%. However, these were more often than not incomplete and unable to fulfil their purpose. Conclusions: There is ample room for change in current local practice.peer-reviewe

Avulsion fracture of the Iliac Crest : a clinical and radiological evaluation 17 years later

The authors present the case of a sports-related avulsion fracture of the iliac crest, which happened in 1987, in an 18-year old adolescent. This was diagnosed using plain radiography, and was managed non-surgically. They recently reviewed the patient both clinically and radiologically and are here reporting their findings 17 years down the line.peer-reviewe

Mesiodens preventing eruption of a permanent central incisor

A maxillary midline supernumerary tooth is the most common type of supernumerary tooth. We present a case of a mesiodens, preventing eruption of a permanent central incisor. The aetiology, diagnosis and the effect of these developmental anomalies upon the dentition are discussed.peer-reviewe

Usage of antimicrobial agents in paediatric wards at St. Luke's Hospital

A clinical study on antibiotic therapy in paediatric surgical, medical and special care wards of St. Luke's Hospital, Malta, was carried out by means of a survey over a 10 week period. The scope of this study was to critically assess the necessity of treatment and the subsequent antibiotic choice, dosage, route of administration and the duration of treatment in relation to the nature of infection and its outcome. Besides analysis of the current antibiotic prescribing practice, patient history files were also consulted to determine the extent of prescribing of non-formulary and/or special items, as well as to analyse microbiological reports for the usual and possible unusual patterns of infection and sensitivity.peer-reviewe

Bisphosphonate-related bilateral atypical femoral fractures : be aware and beware

Although bisphosphonates have a well established therapeutic role in the prevention of osteoporosis-related fractures, several reports published over the past 5-6 years suggest a possible causative relationship between long-term use of bisphosphonates and development of ‘atypical’ subtrochanteric and femoral diaphyseal fractures. A high level of clinical suspicion and prompt imaging when these patients present with groin/thigh pain should lead to a timely diagnosis. Appropriate elective management to mitigate against the increased risks of these fractures becoming complete could then be instituted. We present a case of complete bilateral atypical subtrochanteric fractures in a patient on long-term bisphosphonates for osteoporosis. Our objective is to highlight the fracture risk of this patient population; present the current knowledge; and discuss the dilemmas in management of both femora.peer-reviewe

Understanding the Art of Thought: Defining, Rethinking, and Applying Creative Methods and Practices

Creativity, an already elusive term, has further transformed into a conceptual quagmire of numerous open and closed definitions during the course of the past two decades. Although creativity lacks a concrete identification, our society continues to find answers to socially and economically based problems through means labeled as creative thinking. This suggests that creativity is structurally linked to discussions on innovation—which in its exclusivity yields some positive outcomes—but negates further definitions or explorations of the word. This thesis compiles a variety of resources from a range of fields related to the subject of creativity to offer a broad viewpoint on its overuse for the purposes of labeling and under-appreciation for the purposes understanding. Through the use of numerous studies on Art Education systems of practice, this thesis aims to demonstrate the importance of fully comprehending both what is known and unknown about human creativity—offering a particularly pragmatic lens into the exploration of this concept. Embracing this duality is crucial to our society’s contemporary crossover from the Information Age, based in convergent models of thinking and knowledge (and exemplified by subject areas like mathematics and science), into a Conceptual Age based on a much more divergent model (Pink, 2005). Lastly, with the construction of a more cohesive definition for creativity, this thesis aims to verify the necessity of its inclusion within our system of education. Arguments will address how both fine art and non-fine art classrooms currently educate students to embrace creative though, but more importantly, how they might improve upon their efforts by redefining prevalent conceptions and challenging common misconceptions about creativity and the learning environment

Sur les devoirs des chevaliers de Malte : deux ouvrages de la première moitié du XVIIIe siècle

The spiritual aspect of the life of a Knight of St. John was of primary importance, as the ceremony of the profession of a Knight makes amply clear. However, many Knights, young and old alike, out of negligence or ignorance, often neglected their religious duties and led a worldly life. This situation worried other Knights who, having studied the Rule, recorded their observations and reflections and printed their works for the benefit of their brethren. One such work, published anonymously in Paris in 1712, was translated into Italian and published in Rome a year later. A second edition of the Italian version was published in Malta in 1758. Another work, written by the French Knight Luc de Boyer d'Argens was published at the Hague in 1739. The latter work differs from the former in that it not only dwells on the spiritual duties of the Knights but also on other duties that are of a more mundane nature, such as the knowledge they are expected to possess. It also contains some practical advice. The author concludes his work by reflecting on the ultimate duty of a Knight: that of sacrificing his life in the interests of the Order.peer-reviewe

The Evolution of Statesmanship in the United States: How the Democratization of Civic Education and Presidential Selection Transformed the American Executive

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Business and Public Affairs at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Government by Andrew DePasquale on December 6, 2013