NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS1 1Lecture given at the Postgraduate Course, September, 1961.

The tide “neuromuscular disorders” is perhaps not a very happy one but it permits discussion of all those conditions in which a muscle for some reason is not functioning as it should

A Korean Family of Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis with Mutation in a Voltage-gated Calcium Channel (R1239G)

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HOPP) is a rare disease characterized by reversible attacks of muscle weakness accompanied by episodic hypokalemia. Recent molecular work has revealed that the majority of familial HOPP is due to mutations in a skeletal muscle voltage-dependent calcium-channel: the dihydropyridine receptor. We report a 13-yr old boy with HOPP from a family in which 6 members are affected in three generations. Genetic examination identified a nucleotide 3705 C to G mutation in exon 30 of the calcium channel gene, CACNA1S. This mutation predicts a codon change from arginine to glycine at the amino acid position #1239 (R1239G). Among the three known mutations of the CACNA1S gene, the R1239G mutation was rarely reported. This boy and the other family members who did not respond to acetazolamide, showed a marked improvement of the paralytic symptoms after spironolactone treatment

A web-enabled national multi-centre study of nurse skill matching to patient acuity and risk in intensive care.

This study aimed to identify tools, systems and processes that inform nurse skill-assessment and nurse-to-patient allocation decisions in Adult Level III Australian Intensive Care Units (ICU), and to develop a Nurse Skill Matching Decision-Support Framework that could be incorporated within an ICU risk management system.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 200

Ethical issues in critical care

2nd Edition. ACCCN = Australian College of Critical Care Nurse

Matching nurse skill with patient acuity in the intensive care units: a risk management mandate

Article first published online: 19 JUN 2006AimThis paper aims to highlight the need for the traditional concept of nursing skill mix to be reconfigured within a new concept of skill matching.BackgroundSubstantive literature describes staff deployment and patient-dependency models. However, limited information exists as to what informs decision making regarding nurse skill assessment and subsequent patient allocation in intensive care units.Key issuesIn intensive care units, nurse numbers, available nursing skills and patient allocation decisions, impact directly on care provision and outcomes. This paper argues that staffing decisions that are based on insufficient knowledge which lack consideration of all pertinent factors result in poor 'skill matching', potential adverse events and poor outcomes. A critical inextricable link exists between staffing decisions, patient safety and risk in the intensive care unit. Use of a multifactorial skill-matching approach within a dedicated staffing decision-support system is recommended.ConclusionThis commentary paper adds a new perspective to nurse-staffing decision practices and their relationship to risk management in the intensive care unit and offers a new research direction.Amanda Rischbiet

Progeria and Ateleiosis.

n/