Author: Jason Curtis

VEST: The UK vedolizumab real life experience study in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (2024)

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Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

Bodger K.; Booker C.; Kok K.; Lobo A.; Ahmad T.; Bloom S.; *Butterworth J.; Irving P.; Cummings F.

Citation:

Journal of Crohn's and Colitis. Conference: 19th Congress of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation, ECCO 2024. Stockholm Sweden. 18(Supplement 1) (pp i1775-i1777), 2024. Date of Publication: January 2024.

Abstract:

Background: The characteristics and outcomes of patients treated with vedolizumab in routine healthcare settings have not been widely evaluated in the UK. Method(s): Prospective, multicentre observational study of 364 patients started on vedolizumab in UK practice from January 2017 until February 2019 using the UK IBD Registry clinical web-based tool. For the present analysis, the primary outcome was drug survival (persistence) at 1-year, defined as attendance for infusion >=48 weeks after the first dose. Secondary outcomes were: Clinical remission (CR, based on partial Mayo score [<=1] or Harvey Bradshaw index [<=4]), physician global assessment (PGA), IBD-Control Questionnaire (IBD-Control-8, IBD-Control-VAS and individual item scores), laboratory parameters and adverse events. Result(s): Age (mean): 44 yrs; Males: 48%; IBD duration (mean): 6 yrs; Prev. resection: 18%; Steroids at baseline: 39%; Outcomes are summarized in Table 1. 37% of CD patients were assessed as being in clinical remission at baseline. Overall, 210 (58%) continued treatment beyond 48 weeks. At 1 year, 67.1% and 52.3% of CD and UC patients were in clinical remission with a clear improvement in QoL as assessed by IBD-Control -8. There were significant improvements across each IBD-Control-8 domain, including fatigue, with few patients considering switching treatment at that point (Figure 1). Conclusion(s): Vedolizumab was effective in clinical practice with 58% of patients remaining on treatment at one-year. Baseline status differed significantly from those recruited into RCTs. Patient reported outcomes demonstrated significant and meaningful improvements across physical, psychological, social and treatment domains.

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Widespread non-adherence to guidelines in the operative management of diabetes-related foot disease complications (2024)

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Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

Renwick B.; Gannon M.; Kerr S.; Melvin R.; Ingram A.; Bosanquet D.; Fabre I.; Yew S.; Moreau J.; Dewi M.; Lowry D.; Clothier A.; Hutchings T.; Boyle J.; Wijewardena C.; Chowdhury M.; Torre G.L.; Grewal H.; Ansaripour A.; Lawson D.; Nandhra S.; Ugwumba L.; El-Sayed T.; Altahir A.; Elkashef H.; *Jones S.; Arkle J.; Khalil R.; Ramsay J.; Nesbitt C.; Paravastu S.; Jayaprakash V.V.; Flumignan R.L.G.; Flumignan C.D.Q.; Nakano L.C.U.; Schippers P.; Pereira F.A.; Pegas N.C.; Hitchman L.; Walshaw J.; Ravindhran B.; Lathan R.; Smith G.; Shalhoub J.; Ahmad M.; Shea J.; Howard T.; Elsanhoury K.; Eskandar G.; Mekhaeil K.; Scott K.; Enc M.; Mannan F.; Chowdhury S.; Abdelmageed A.E.; Russell D.; Jones A.; Dattani N.; El-Nakhal T.; Katsogridakis E.; Duncan A.; Musto L.; Proctor D.; Parsapour S.; Lewis S.; Hassan A.; Abdelal A.; Elzefzaf N.; Yasser N.; Antoniou G.A.; Singh A.; Alhoussan L.; Venkateswaran V.; Feil F.; Dindyal S.; Lyons O.; Benson R.; Lim E.; Sze M.; Khashram M.; Hart O.; Vincent Z.; Xue N.; Pottier M.; Gormley S.; Tong C.; Pang D.; Patil A.; Ngam L.; Macleod C.; Aziz I.; Stather P.; Abuduruk A.; Manson J.; Howard D.; Hussain S.; Glatzel H.; James N.; Rafil M.; Marlow N.; Meldrum A.; Hussey K.; Jones C.; Shepherd E.; Fitridge R.; Hon K.; Kour K.; Ng S.; Hardy T.; Muse S.; Ching D.; Donoghue S.; Thompson D.; Forsythe R.; Chan S.; Powezka K.; Wu D.; Kuronen-Stewart C.; Winarski A.; Lapolla P.; Cirillo B.; *Al-Saadi N.; *Dowdeswell M.; *Mcdonald S.; *Al-Hashimi K.; *Merriman K.; Hassouneh A.; Sadia U.; Jaipersad A.; Moulakakis K.G.; Papageorgopoulou C.; Kakkos S.; Tsimpoukis A.; Papadoulas S.; Kouri N.; Nikolakopoulos K.; D'oria M.; Lepidi S.; Grando B.; Nickinson A.; Gamtkitsulashvili G.; Enemosah I.; Storer N.; Gabab K.; Dingwell M.; Premadasan Y.; Karkos C.; Mitka M.; Soteriou A.; Asaloumidis N.; Papazoglou K.; Condie N.; Abdullahi H.; Shafeek F.; Lyons T.; Ambler G.; Benson R.A.; Birmpili P.; Blair R.H.J.; Bosanquet D.C.; Gwilym B.L.; Machin M.; Onida S.; Saratzis A.; Singh A.A.; Shelmerdine L.;

Citation:

British Journal of Surgery. 111(10) (no pagination), 2024. Article Number: znae231. Date of Publication: 01 Oct 2024.

Abstract:

The incidence of diabetes is increasing. One of the most common complications is diabetes-related foot disease (DFD), which include ulcers and gangrene. If not managed appropriately, DFD can rapidly deteriorate resulting in limb loss and death.The International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) and the Global Vascular Guidelines (GVG) provide recommendations on the assessment and management of DFD and chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI). It has been hypothesized that adherence to these guidelines varies and could be contributing to poor outcomes.This study aimed to capture practices of diabetic foot debridement and minor amputation in theatre, to compare practice with the IWGDF and GVG recommendations, and to report the outcomes of patients undergoing debridement or minor amputation for a DFD complication.

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Evaluation of Patient-Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU) Service in a Fracture Clinic: A Comprehensive Service Evaluation and Patient Satisfaction Audit (2024)

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Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

*Younis, Zubair; Hamid, Muhammad A; *Khan, Muhammad Murtaza; Sapra, Rahul; *Gurukiran, Gurukiran; *Singh, Rohit.

Citation:

Cureus. 16(11):e73461, 2024 Nov.

Abstract:

Background Outpatient clinics are increasingly challenged by high patient volumes and rising "did not attend" (DNA) rates, leading to extended wait times and declines in patient satisfaction. Traditional follow-up (FU) models with routinely scheduled appointments contribute to inefficiencies, as stable patients may attend unnecessary visits, thus straining clinic resources. The patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU) model offers an alternative where patients schedule appointments only when necessary. This study evaluates PIFU's efficacy in improving outpatient services and patient satisfaction by reducing routine appointments and prioritizing patient-driven follow-up. Methods This service evaluation and patient satisfaction audit was conducted at the fracture clinic of Royal Shrewsbury Hospital over three months (December 2023-March 2024). Out of 3828 patients seen, 203 were assigned to PIFU based on criteria indicating stable conditions with minimal follow-up requirements. The remaining patients were either scheduled for routine follow-ups or discharged. Data were collected retrospectively from clinic records, and a structured
questionnaire assessed patient satisfaction with the PIFU service. Results Among the 203 patients assigned to PIFU, 183 (90.15%) patients received an informational leaflet, with all respondents finding it easy to understand. However, only 41 (20.2%) of patients utilized the PIFU service, primarily for concerns about pain, healing, or complications. Satisfaction among PIFU users was high, with 163 (80.3%) patients rating the service 5/5. Non-users mostly cited no perceived need for follow-up. Demographic analysis indicated that patients aged 40-60 were predominant (n=132; 65.02%) among the PIFU cohort. Conclusion The PIFU model demonstrated the potential to alleviate clinic workload by reducing routine follow-ups while maintaining high patient satisfaction. Although utilization rates were low, those who engaged found the service beneficial, suggesting PIFU's value for patients comfortable with self-management. Improved patient education may enhance engagement, supporting the broader implementation of PIFU in outpatient settings. Further research is warranted to explore barriers to patient-initiated follow-up and refine eligibility criteria for optimal outcomes.

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Evaluation of a new out-of-hospital newborn life support (OH-NLS) course in the UK South West region: a mixed-methods survey study (2024)

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Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

Bradfield, Michael; Goodwin, Laura; Bates, Sarah; Tinnion, Robert; Hedge, Sally; Kerslake, Dawn; Madar, John; Murcott, Lucy; *Tyler, Wendy; Yates, James; Powell, Anna; Hall, Louise.

Citation:

British Paramedic Journal. 9(3):44-52, 2024 Dec 01.

Abstract:

Introduction: Unplanned out-of-hospital births (UOHBs) are associated with poorer outcomes for babies, especially those born prematurely. The current Newborn Life Support (NLS) course offered by Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) is not designed to address the challenges associated with birth out of hospital. A new course was developed to address these challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of this course on attendees' knowledge and confidence in supporting transition, resuscitation, stabilisation and onward transfer of newborns in an out-of-hospital setting.

Methods: A convergent mixed-methods approach was used consisting of pre-, post- and follow-up surveys and a post-course multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ). The surveys asked participants to rate their confidence, on a five-point Likert scale (from 'Underconfident/fearful' to 'Very confident') across seven domains of NLS, as well as making an individual assessment of provider confidence before and after the course. Free-text comments were collected and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Attendees comprised multidisciplinary staff from the South West of England. The pre-course survey was completed by 32 of the 33 participants, the post-course survey by 31 and the MCQ by all 33. A total of 18 participants completed the follow-up survey. Analysis showed a significant, positive change in confidence across NLS domains between the pre- and post-course surveys (p <0.0001). The follow-up survey data showed self-reported increases in knowledge and largely sustained confidence. The qualitative analysis revealed themes relating to the participants' feelings about managing babies born out of hospital.

Conclusion: The proof-of-concept OH-NLS course appears to address the learning needs of the target professional group, and the results suggest improved knowledge and confidence in the immediate management of babies born out of hospital. Further evaluation is required to determine whether such training has a long-term impact and translates into improved outcomes across a larger group of participants.

Proximal Humerus Fractures: A Review of Anatomy, Classification, Management Strategies, and Complications (2024)

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Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

Younis, Zubair; Hamid, Muhammad A; Amin, Jebran; *Khan, Muhammad Murtaza; *Gurukiran, Gurukiran; Sapra, Rahul; *Singh, Rohit; Wani, Kubra Farooq; Younus, Zuhaib.

Citation:

Cureus. 16(11):e73075, 2024 Nov.

Abstract:

Proximal humerus fractures are prevalent in older adults, particularly women, primarily due to osteoporosis and increased fall risk. These fractures often result from low-energy falls in elderly patients, while in younger individuals, they are more likely to occur with high-energy trauma, which may involve additional injuries to soft tissue and neurovascular structures. Proper anatomical understanding, including key structures and blood supply, is crucial for effective management and to prevent complications. Several classification systems assist in guiding treatment for proximal humerus fractures, including Codman's, Neer's, Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) system, and the Codman-Hertel system, which helps predict ischemia risk. Evaluation of proximal humerus fractures begins with Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols, emphasizing a thorough shoulder assessment, particularly focusing on skin integrity in elderly patients. Neurological and vascular examinations are essential due to the common occurrence of nerve injuries, especially involving the axillary nerve. Imaging typically includes multiple standard views, with advanced imaging reserved for complex cases and for assessing associated soft tissue injuries. Treatment options range from conservative management for stable fractures to surgical intervention for more complex cases. Surgical choices include techniques like fixation, nailing, and various arthroplasty options, with some procedures potentially offering advantages for older adults with bone quality or soft tissue challenges. Rehabilitation is a vital component of recovery, with emphasis on early mobility and gradual strengthening to restore function, especially in older patients. Complications following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for proximal humerus fractures can include issues such as non-union, malunion, osteonecrosis, infection, joint stiffness, and fixation failure. In cases where non-union or fixation failure occurs, revision surgery or arthroplasty may be necessary. Joint stiffness may require further intervention if physical therapy is insufficient, while symptomatic osteonecrosis might also need surgical management. Malunion is generally better tolerated in older patients but may require correction in younger individuals. Other surgical options, such as hemiarthroplasty (HA) and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), share similar risks, including infection, fractures, complications at the tuberosity, stiffness, and instability. RSA may be favored when there are tuberosity or rotator cuff issues. Closed reduction with percutaneous pinning carries a high risk of pin migration and malunion, which can result in deformities, pain, and dysfunction. Proper anatomical knowledge is essential to avoid neurovascular injury and to manage common issues such as pin-site infections effectively.

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The National Joint Registry Data Quality Audit of elbow arthroplasty (2024)

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Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

Hamoodi, Zaid; Shapiro, Joanne; Sayers, Adrian; Whitehouse, Michael R; Watts, Adam C; Abbott, Jennifer; Abbott, Sarah; Adebayo, Oliver; Ahmad, Kashif; Ahrens, Philip; Akinfala, Michael; Al-Hadithy, Nawfal; Al-Najjar, Majed; Amirfeyz, Rouin; Ankarath, Sudhi; Ashton, Fiona; Aulton, Kelly; Auplish, Sunil; Austin, Jane; Ayeko, Segun; Azhar, Raja; *Bahia, Rish; Baines, Steven; Baldomir, Marisol; Barai, Sneha; Barkham, Benjamin; Barrett, Emily; Batten, Timothy; Bavan, Luckshman; Baxter, Jonathan; Beaumont, Sera; Bentley, James; Bhabra, Gev; Bhat, Mahendar; Bhatt, Ankit; Bhingraj, Mahmoud; Bhutta, Aqeel; Bingham, Samuel; Blastland, Jenny; Boardman, David; Boateng, Michael; Bojarska, Kasia; Boksh, Khalis; Booker, Simon; Borreshi, Sebastian; Bould, Michael; Boulton, Lesley; Brannan, Linda; Breidaka, Zarina; Brereton, Rachel; Brinsden, Mark; Brooker, Joanne; Brookes, Sabine; Broux, Cheryl; Brown, Elke; Browne, Jacqueline; Bryant, Richard; Buchanan, James; Buck, Lisa; Burnett, Karen; Burrows, Melanie; Burt, Jill; Burton, David; Butt, Usman; Campaner, Barry; Candal-Couto, Jaime; Carvell, Hannah; Chakravarthy, Jagannath; Chatterji, Somashree; Chaudhury, Salma; Chauhan, Govind S; Chojnowski, Adrian; Cittambalam, Janani; Clark, David; Gosia Clarke, Malgorzata; Clarke, Ben; Clelland, Andrew; Cochrane, Roz; Colbridge, Karen; Cook, Hayley; Cooper, Becky; Correa, Elizabeth; Craven, Joanna; Crawford, Jason; Curtis, Sherri; Cuthbert, Rory; Dainton, Jeremy; Dale, Lisa; Davies, Sammy; Davis, Joanne; Davis, Vicky; Dean, Ben; Dehler, Tom; Dennis, Sonu; Der Tavitian, Jacob; Desai, Aravind; Dhillon, Sukhraj S; Dias, Richard; Dickinson, Graham; Dirckx, Margo; Dixon, Oliver; Docker, Charles; *Dodenhoff, Ronald; Domos, Peter; Draviaraj, Kingsleypaul; Drew, Steven; Duff, Caroline; Duffin, Sarah; Durham, Paula; Earnshaw, Kirstie; Edakalathur, Jefin; Edwards, Michelle; Elahi, Zain; Else, Samantha; Emara, Moustafa; Eng, Khemerin; Esfandiari, Alireza; Esler, Colin; Evans, Jon; Everall, Alicia; Eyre-Brook, Alistair; Farhan-Alanie, Muhamed; Federer, Simon; Ferdinandus, Sharon; Finch, Marie; Fischer, Jochen; Flood, Catherine; Forde, Christine; Forder, Justin; Fowler, Lisa; Franklin, Marieta; Gacaferi, Hamez; Gamble, David; Garg, Sunil; *Gill, Vicki; Ginley, Jean; Glancey, Emma; Glanville, Gemma; Gmati, Aimen; Goddard, Karen; Goel, Jay; Goldsmith, Carly; Gooding, Ben; Goodwin, Fiona; Goring, Benjamin; Goude, Will; Guyver, Paul; Haines, Samuel; Haque, Aziz; Hardley, Thomas; Haritonow, Susan; Harnett, Louise; Harris, Joanna; Harris, Margaret; Harrison, Jane; Hauffe, Isabelle; Hawken, Archie; Hawkes, Dave; Hay, Stuart; Haywood, Mia; Hedge, Siddhant; Hickey, Susan; Hickinson, Anne; Higgs, Deborah; Hill, Richard; Hill, Sharyn; Hind, Jamie; Hitchcock, Maria; Holdcroft, Terry; Holdcroft, Emily; Holliday, Ann; Hudson, Siobhan; *Hughes, Hazel; Imtiaz, Rabia; Iqbal, Sheeraz; Jabr, Yamen; Jackson, Crystal; Jameson, Jackie; Jayme, Odette; Jennings, Andrew; Jenvey, Cara; Jewitt, Elizabeth; Jimenez, Andreea; Joby, John; Jones, Adrian; Jones, Neil; Jovanovic, Jadranka; Kabala, Vanessa; Kang, Niel; Kausor, Gulnaz; Kaynes, Sarah; Keane, Conal; Keen, Lauren; Kelly, Gaynor; Kent, Matthew; Kent, Jonathan; Kerr, Carla; Kerr, Julie; King, Christina; Kinnair, Anthony; Kinsley, Gemma; Konarski, Alastair; Kord, Jacqueline; Kumar, Hari; Kumar, Sachin; Lafferty, Rebecca; Lancaster, Patrick; Levitt, William; Lewin, Alexandria; Li, Yueyang; Liew, Ignatius; Yizhe Lim, Martin; Lipscombe, Stephen; Lynch, Edith; MacInnes, Scott; Madden, Paula; Maddocks, Nick; Mahajan, Ravindra; Mahoney, Rachel; Malik, Sheraz; Mannan, Syed; Maris, Alexandros; Markey, Michael; Martin, Christy; Martin, Rebecca; Masunda, Stanley; Mazis, George; Mcauliffe, Anne-Marie; McBride, Tim; McGowan, Amy; Mckeown, Nicolee; McLauchlan, George; McNally, Debbie; Melton, Joel; Miller, Jane; Millyard, Cathy; Mitchell, Claire; Mohamed, Foad; Mohamed, Abdalla; Charlotte Montgomery, Helen; Munn, Darren; Mutimer, John; Nanda, Rajesh; Neen, Daniel; Newton, Lynne; Newton, Ashley; Nicholl, Aly; Nightingale, Jessica; Ogden, Emma; Orton, Peter; Oswald, Lynda; Page, Kelly; Paius, Maria; Papanna, Madhavan; Patel, Neelam; Paul, Claudia; Peach, Chris; Pegg, Derek; Penfold, Sue; Phillips, Eleanore; Pickering, Greg; Plakogiannis, Christos; Platt, Julie; Pole, Craig; Potter, Richard; Povall, Kate; Pradhan, Riten; Prasad, Ganesh; Price, Karen; Pride, Julie; Prins, Afnan; Qazzaz, Layth; Radhakrishnan, Ajay; Ramesh, Ashwanth; Rashid, Adil; Rashid, Abbas; Rasidovic, Damir; Ratford, Emily; Rayner, Jan; *Rhee, Jae; Rice-Evans, Matthew; Ricketts, Martha; Roach, Deborah; Waters, Eve R; Robinson, Simon; Robinson, Paul; Rodgers, Samantha; Rogers, Emma; Rooney, Aaron; Rossouw, Dan; Roy, Bibhas; Sadiqi, Maseh; Sagmeister, Markus; Samy, David; Sanders, Paige; Sanderson, Kelly; Sandher, Dilraj; Sargazi, Nastaran; Saunders, Mark; Saunders, Nicky; Savage, Kim; Sawalha, Seif; Schouw, Melissa; Scott,   Gareth; Selzer, Gunther; Sepesiova, Lucia; Shah, Sohan; Shahane, Shantanu;   Shaw, Grant; Shrestha, Suzani; Shutt, John; Siddiqui, Nashat; Sidharthan, Sijin; Simons, Adrian; Simpson, Vera; Sinclair, Pierre; Siney, Paul; Singh, Jagwant; Singh, Bijayendra; Singh, Harvinder; Sinha, Apurv; Smith, Callum; Smith, Christopher; Smith, Kerry; Somanchi, Brinda; Soufan, Muhab; Southgate, Cynthia; Southgate, Jeremy; Spearpoint, Nicola; Stainer, Rebecca; Stevens, Richard; Stimler, Batya; Stone, Andrew; Suter, Danielle; Talbot, Charlie; Tareef, Tareq; Theivendran, Kanthan; Thomas, Beverely; Thomas, William; Thompson, Andrew; Thompson, Jackie; Thornhill, Elizabeth; Titchener, Andrew; Townley, Michael; Tozer, Tina; Truman, Jennie; Truss, Adam; *Turner, Rob; Van Rensburg, Lee; Venugopal, Vinayak; Vollans, Sam; Waller, Louise; Walsh, Anna; Waraich, Aleena; Wei, Nicholas; James White, William; Wilkinson, Mark; Williams, Daniel; Williams, Philip; Williams, Nicola; Wilson, Stephanie; Wood, David; Yadu, Shirley; Yarashi, Tejas; Zeolla, Julian; Zreik, Nasri H; Ollivere, Ben.

Citation:

Bone & Joint Journal. 106-B(12):1461-1468, 2024 Dec 01.

Abstract:

Aims: The aim of this audit was to assess and improve the completeness and accuracy of the National Joint Registry (NJR) dataset for arthroplasty of the elbow.

Methods: It was performed in two phases. In Phase 1, the completeness was assessed by comparing the NJR elbow dataset with the NHS England Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data between April 2012 and April 2020. In order to assess the accuracy of the data, the components of each arthroplasty recorded in the NJR were compared to the type of arthroplasty which was recorded. In Phase 2, a national collaborative audit was undertaken to evaluate the reasons for unmatched data, add missing arthroplasties, and evaluate the reasons for the recording of inaccurate arthroplasties and
correct them.

Results: Phase 1 identified 5,539 arthroplasties in HES which did not match an arthroplasty on the NJR, and 448 inaccurate arthroplasties from 254 hospitals. Most mismatched procedures (3,960 procedures; 71%) were radial head arthroplasties (RHAs). In Phase 2, 142 NHS hospitals with 3,640 (66%) mismatched and 314 (69%) inaccurate arthroplasties volunteered to assess their records. A large proportion of the unmatched data (3,000 arthroplasties; 82%) were confirmed as being missing from the NJR. The overall rate of completeness of the NJR elbow dataset improved from 63% to 83% following phase 2, and the completeness of total elbow arthroplasty data improved to 93%. Missing RHAs had the biggest impact on the overall completeness, but through the audit the number of RHAs in the NJR nearly doubled and completeness increased from 35% to 70%. The accuracy of data was 94% and improved to 98% after correcting 212 of the 448 inaccurately recorded arthroplasties.

Conclusion: The rate of completeness of the NJR total elbow arthroplasty dataset is currently 93% and the accuracy is 98%. This audit identified challenges of data capture with regard to RHAs. Collaboration with a
trauma and orthopaedic trainees through the British Orthopaedic Trainee Association improved the completeness and accuracy of the NJR elbow dataset, which will improve the validity of the reports and of the associated research.

Labelling of Fluids in the Sterile Field During Orthopaedic Surgery: A Quality Improvement Initiative (2024)

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Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

Sweetman, Benedict; *Younis, Zubair; Khan, Sarfraz; Amin, Jebran; Mohammed, Ghulam Dastagir Faisal; Jones, Ellen Ellysia; Lemaigre, Charlotte; Pydah, Satya.

Citation:

Cureus. 16(10):e72250, 2024 Oct.

Abstract:

Background Intraoperative safety protocols, including proper labelling of syringes, are critical to patient safety in surgical settings. While the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and the Royal College of Anaesthetists provide clear guidelines to prevent medication errors, ensuring consistent compliance with labelling protocols in the fast-paced and complex environment of orthopaedic surgery can still present practical challenges. The absence of proper labelling, combined with the use of multiple fluids such as normal saline, disinfectants, and local anaesthetics, increases the risk of adverse outcomes due to fluid misidentification. This quality improvement project aimed to assess current labelling practices in a district general hospital, identify barriers to compliance, and develop a cost-effective solution. Methodology The project was conducted in three orthopaedic theatres over two audit cycles. During the first audit cycle, 30 procedures were observed to assess compliance with labelling guidelines. Compliance was defined as the labelling of all syringes containing fluids present in the sterile field. Following this, an intervention was introduced, using surgical marker pens and sterile stickers for fluid labelling, along with a mandatory "tactical pause and check" and an awareness campaign. Two months later, a second audit of 34 procedures was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Results In the first audit cycle, only three out of 30 procedures (10%) were compliant with labelling guidelines. Following the intervention, compliance increased dramatically to 32 out of 34 procedures (94%). The results were statistically significant (p < 0.05) as determined by Fisher's exact test. The use of sterile stickers and marker pens proved to be a simple and cost-effective solution that did not interfere with the sterile environment or increase costs. Conclusions This study demonstrates that a low-cost intervention using sterile stickers and surgical marker pens can significantly improve compliance with fluid labelling guidelines in orthopaedic surgery, thereby enhancing patient safety. While the intervention was successful, future research should explore more sustainable solutions, such as pre-printed sterile labels, and evaluate the long-term impact of such interventions across various surgical settings. Continuous education and regular audits will be essential in maintaining high compliance rates.

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Bilateral autologous penetrating keratoplasty following periorbital necrotising fasciitis (2024)

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Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

*Khan, Attam; *Baker, Diya; Husain, Syed; *Jenyon, Tom.

Citation:

BMJ Case Reports. 17(11), 2024 Nov 24.

Abstract:

The case report describes a rare instance of a man in his 70s with periorbital necrotising fasciitis (NF) who underwent bilateral autologous penetrating keratoplasty. NF is an acute infection that can lead to severe complications, including vision loss. The patient presented with severe facial swelling and necrosis of the right eyelid, treated with surgical debridement and antibiotics. Post-surgery, he lost vision in the right eye due to compressive optic neuropathy and developed exposure keratopathy, which was managed with tarsorrhaphy. His left eye had poor vision due to herpetic corneal scarring. He met the criteria for a bilateral autologous keratoplasty, transferring his healthy right cornea to his otherwise healthy left eye and the damaged left cornea to the right eye. The surgery was successful, and at 9 months post-operation, the patient achieved improved vision (6/36) and is awaiting contact lens fitting. The report highlights the advantages and considerations of autokeratoplasty over conventional corneal transplants.

Link to full-text [NHS OpenAthens account required]

Environmental and financial impacts of perioperative paracetamol use: a multicentre international life-cycle assessment (2024)

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Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

Davies J.F.; McAlister S.; Eckelman M.J.; McGain F.; Seglenieks R.; Gutman E.N.; Groome J.; Palipane N.; Latoff K.; Nielsen D.; Sherman J.D.; Patel P.; Wong T.; Harknett E.; Wong S.; Watson S.; Gemmell-Smith M.; Laing S.; Cooper I.; Bakogianis A.; Nasteka A.; Hay J.; Taylor-Smith R.; Reilly S.; Wallace C.; Mills L.; Pinder A.; Back M.; *Damm E.; *Goudie C.; Wong J.; Wilkinson A.; Mohamed A.; Silk E.; Mitchard M.; Qureshi N.; Shatananda L.; George D.; Davenport T.; Skingle A.; Cooper M.; Sharif S.; Harding K.; O'Docherty A.; Hawkins T.; Pooley S.; Myo J.; Hamid H.K.S.; Davis G.

Citation:

British Journal of Anaesthesia. 133(6) (pp 1439-1448), 2024. Date of Publication: December 2024.

Abstract:

Background: Pharmaceuticals account for 19-32% of healthcare greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Paracetamol is a common perioperative analgesic agent. We estimated GHG emissions associated with i.v. and oral formulations of paracetamol used in the perioperative period. Method(s): Life-cycle assessment of GHG emissions (expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents CO2e) of i.v. and oral paracetamol preparations was performed. Perioperative paracetamol prescribing practices and costs for 26 hospitals in USA, UK, and Australia were retrospectively audited. For those surgical patients for whom oral formulations were indicated, CO2e and costs of actual prescribing practices for i.v. or oral doses were compared with optimal oral prescribing. Result(s): The carbon footprint for a 1 g dose was 38 g CO2e (oral tablet), 151 g CO2e (oral liquid), and 310-628 g CO2e (i.v. dependent on type of packaging and administration supplies). Of the eligible USA patients, 37% received paracetamol (67% was i.v.). Of the eligible UK patients, 85% received paracetamol (80% was i.v.). Of the eligible Australian patients, 66% received paracetamol (70% was i.v.). If the emissions mitigation opportunity from substituting oral tablets for i.v. paracetamol is extrapolated to USA, UK, and Australia elective surgical encounters in 2019, ~5.7 kt CO2e could have been avoided and would save 98.3% of financial costs. Conclusion(s): Intravenous paracetamol has 12-fold greater life-cycle carbon emissions than the oral tablet form. Glass vials have higher greenhouse gas emissions than plastic vials. Intravenous administration should be reserved for cases in which oral formulations are not feasible.

Ambulatory management of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (AmbUDiv study): a multicentre, propensity score matching study (2024)

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Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

Mohamedahmed, Ali Yasen; Hamid, Mohammed; Issa, Mohamed; Albendary, Mohamed; *Sultana, Emiko; Zaman, Shafquat; Bhandari, Santosh; Sarma, Diwakar; *Ball, William; Thomas, Pradeep; Husain, Najam.

Citation:

International Journal of Colorectal Disease. 39(1):184, 2024 Nov 18.

Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have suggested that ambulatory management is feasible for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (AUD); however, there is still no consensus regarding the most appropriate management settings. This study presents a multi-centre experience of managing patients presenting with AUD, specifically focusing on clinical outcomes and comparing ambulatory treatment with in-patient management.

METHODS: A retrospective multi-centre study was conducted across four hospitals in the UK and included all adult patients with computed tomography (CT) confirmed (Hinchey grade 1a) acute diverticulitis over a
12-month period (January – December 2022). Patient medical records were followed up for 1-year post-index episode, and outcomes were compared between those treated through the ambulatory pathway versus inpatient treatment using 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM). All statistical analysis was performed using the R Foundation for Statistical Computing, version 4.4.

RESULTS: A total of 348 patients with Hinchey 1a acute diverticulitis were included (260 in-patients; 88 ambulatory pathway), of which nearly a third (31.3%) had a recurrent disease. Inpatient management was dominant (74.7%), with a median of 3 days of hospital stay. PSM resulted in 172 patients equally divided between the two care settings. Ambulatory management was associated with a lower readmission rate (P = 0.02 before PSM, P = 0.08 after PSM), comparable surgical (P = 0.57 before PSM, 0% in both groups after PSM) and radiological interventions (P = 0.99 before and after PSM) within one year. In both matched and non-matched groups, a strong association between readmissions and inpatient management was noted in univariate analysis (P = 0.03 before PSM, P = 0.04 after PSM) and multivariate analysis (P = 0.02 before PSM, P = 0.03 after PSM).

CONCLUSION: Our study supports the safety and efficacy of managing patients with AUD through a well-designed ambulatory care pathway. In particular, hospital re-admission rates are lower and other outcomes are non-inferior to in-patient treatment. This has implications for substantial cost-savings and better utilisation of limited healthcare resources.

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