Medication errors: ending the blame-game

Here, review an analysis of leadership's reaction to medication errors made by nurses, pharmacists, and physicians.     

Global genetic diversity of human metapneumovirus fusion gene

We analyzed 64 human metapneumovirus strains from eight countries. Phylogenetic analysis identified two groups (A and B, amino acid identity 93%-96%) and four subgroups. Although group A strains predominated, accounting for 69% of all strains, as many B as A strains were found in persons >3 years of age.     

Novel approach to management of a posterior tracheal tear complicating percutaneous tracheostomy

Editor—We congratulate Dr Madden and colleagues¹ on thesuccessful management of a patient who experienced a posteriorwall perforation during percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy(PDT). This clearly written and well-presented paper remindsintensivists and anaesthetists performing percutaneous tracheostomyof the potential complication of tracheal wall perforation,which carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality. We are, however, concerned about the statement of the     

Pain and stress in the human fetus

It is not known if the fetus can actually feel pain, but noxious stimulation during fetal life does cause detectable stress responses. These responses cause both short and long-term changes in the central nervous system, which can affect subsequent pain behaviour. Reducing the stress response is known to be beneficial in children and adults and recent evidence suggests this is also true for the fetus. However, the optimal amount of suppression required and the best method of achieving this (opioid or regional anaesthesia techniques) remain unknown. Prevention and treatment of pain is a basic human right, regardless of age, and if the technique of fetal surgery is to progress then a greater understanding of nociception and the stress response is required.