Mercy Hospital for Women

About: Mercy Hospital for Women is a healthcare organization based out in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Pregnancy & Population. The organization has 682 authors who have published 1257 publications receiving 34582 citations.

Postoperative critical care and high-acuity care provision in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand

Abstract: Background Decisions to admit high-risk postoperative patients to critical care may be affected by resource availability. We aimed to quantify adult ICU/high-dependency unit (ICU/HDU) capacity in hospitals from the UK, Australia, and New Zealand (NZ), and to identify and describe additional ‘high-acuity' beds capable of managing high-risk patients outside the ICU/HDU environment. Methods We used a modified Delphi consensus method to design a survey that was disseminated via investigator networks in the UK, Australia, and NZ. Hospital- and ward-level data were collected, including bed numbers, tertiary services offered, presence of an emergency department, ward staffing levels, and the availability of critical care facilities. Results We received responses from 257 UK (response rate: 97.7%), 35 Australian (response rate: 32.7%), and 17 NZ (response rate: 94.4%) hospitals (total 309). Of these hospitals, 91.6% reported on-site ICU or HDU facilities. UK hospitals reported fewer critical care beds per 100 hospital beds (median=2.7) compared with Australia (median=3.7) and NZ (median=3.5). Additionally, 31.1% of hospitals reported having high-acuity beds to which high-risk patients were admitted for postoperative management, in addition to standard ICU/HDU facilities. The estimated numbers of critical care beds per 100 000 population were 9.3, 14.1, and 9.1 in the UK, Australia, and NZ, respectively. The estimated per capita high-acuity bed capacities per 100 000 population were 1.2, 3.8, and 6.4 in the UK, Australia, and NZ, respectively. Conclusions Postoperative critical care resources differ in the UK, Australia, and NZ. High-acuity beds may have developed to augment the capacity to deliver postoperative critical care.

Circulating RNA coding genes regulating apoptosis in maternal blood in severe early onset fetal growth restriction and pre-eclampsia.

Abstract: Circulating RNA coding genes regulating apoptosis in maternal blood in severe early onset fetal growth restriction and pre-eclampsia

Extracellular vesicles and their potential role inducing changes in maternal insulin sensitivity during gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common endocrine disorders during gestation, and affects around 15% of all pregnancies worldwide, paralleling the global increase in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Normal pregnancies are critically dependent on the development of maternal insulin resistance balanced by an increased capacity to secrete insulin, which allows for the allocation of nutrients for adequate fetal growth and development. Several factors including placental hormones, inflammatory mediators, and nutrients have been proposed to alter insulin sensitivity and insulin response, and underpin the pathological outcomes of GDM. However, other factors may also be involved in the regulation of maternal metabolism and a complete understanding of GDM pathophysiology requires the identification of these factors, and the mechanisms associated with them. Recent studies highlight the potential utility of tissue-specific extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the diagnosis of disease onset and treatment monitoring for several pregnancy-related complications, including GDM. To date there is a paucity of data defining changes in the release, content, bioactivity and diagnostic utility of circulating EVs in pregnancies complicated by GDM. Placental EVs may engage in paracellular interactions including local cell-to-cell communication between the cell constituents of the placenta and contiguous maternal tissues, and/or distal interactions involving the release of placental EVs into biological fluids and their transport to a remote site of action. Hence, the aim of this review is to discuss the biogenesis, isolation methods and role of EVs in the physiopathology of GDM, including changes in maternal insulin sensitivity during pregnancy.

Guidelines on informed consent in anaesthesia: unrealistic, unethical, untenable….

Abstract: I.K.M.’s employer receives reimbursement for his time with Health Services Research Centre (HSRC). He is on the editorial board of the British Journal of Anaesthesia. He has received research grants related to hip fracture care and patient safety. R.M.P. holds research grants, and has given lectures, performed consultancy work, or both, for Nestle Health Sciences, BBraun, Medtronic, Glaxo Smithkline, and Edwards Lifesciences, and is a member of the Associate editorial board of the British Journal of Anaesthesia.