Invasive ventilation in the emergency department: Part 2: Implications for patient safety

The use of mechanical ventilation in the Emergency Department requires adequate resources in order to maintain patient safety and avoid potential risks. Moreover, developments in technology require increased knowledge of mechanical ventilation techniques to address the complexity of decision-making involved. Organisational issues and system factors have the potential to negatively impact on the ability of the emergency service to provide optimum care to patients receiving mechanical ventilation. These issues include staffing and skill-mix, demand on emergency services, role-delineation, scope of practice, and current mechanisms for monitoring of quality and safety. Furthermore, in response to advances in ventilator technology, current education programs for both nursing and medical staff require review to ensure that they provide comprehensive information about the types of ventilation techniques now available and the relative risks and benefits associated with their application.This article is the second in a two-part series and explores the educational and organisational factors that impact upon safety and quality of care delivered to patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the emergency department. Recommendations for future policy development, curriculum review and reporting mechanisms to support further research in the application of mechanical ventilation in the emergency department are made.     

Introduction of “international syringe labelling” in the Republic of Ireland

Introduction  Medication errors are a preventable cause of patient injury. In May 2003, as a result of a joint initiative by the Royal College of Anaesthetists, the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, the Intercollegiate Faculty of Accident and Emergency Medicine and the Intensive Care Society, a new colour code chart for syringe labelling was introduced. The introduction of the new system has not been uniform in the Irish Republic with no national guidelines or time scale in place. Methods  A questionnaire was administered to doctors working in Anaesthesia in two Dublin teaching hospitals. Results  As much as 23% had administered an incorrect medication and 53% admitted to a near miss as a result of the introduction of the new label. Discussion  Future action should focus on practical, common sense interventions including techniques such as those that reduce reliance on memory, standardization, the use of protocols and checklists, and the elimination of look-alike products.     

Morphometrically estimated variation in nuclear size

Summary At present there are several grading systems for prostatic carcinoma. Most are difficult to reproduce. An objective method of grading seems to be necessary and could make comparisons between various groups of patients easier and grading more reliable.In the present study morphometrically estimated nuclear size and variation in nuclear size are matched with the survival rates of 207 patients who underwent total perineal prostatetomy for cancer. On the basis of morphometrically estimated variation in nuclear size the patients could be divided into two groups with significantly differing survival rates. In this way it was possible to split the group of patients with grade 2 carcinoma (Mostofi's grading system) into two groups of patients with significantly different survival rates. The survival rates in these two groups did not differ significantly from those in the patients with Grade 1 and Grade 3 tumors respectively.The results are discussed in the light of the recent literature on the subject. Morphometry seems to be a valuable tool in grading prostatic cancer.     

Quality of life research in patients with rectal cancer: traditional approaches versus a problem-solving oriented perspective

The present paper critically appraises two recent overviews of the literature on rectal cancer and quality of life (QL). These reviews focus on the Anglo-American literature, largely neglect research from other countries, and provide little stimulus regarding future research directions. As an alternative perspective we propose the concept of problem-solving oriented QL research. The major theme is that the QL concept must be integrated into the clinical arena. To begin with, QL researchers must make themselves understandable. We outline several ways in which this can be achieved: (a) placing QL in a broader concept together with outcomes that are more familiar to clinicians; (b) depicting individual patients in the form of QL profiles; (c) clarifying the psychosocial/clinical correlates of particular QL scores of interest; and (d) conducting studies with a definitive practical goal in mind and integrating practitioners and patients into the study group. We illustrate the feasibility of such a research program by performance data from our Marburg-Biedenkopf field trial. Pursuing an ambitious research strategy that integrates experimental and applied research, the QL movement will have the chance to show that it is not merely l'art pour l'art, but indeed is beneficial to society. Received: 28 September 1998 / Accepted: 14 October 1998     

EEG enhancement during electrosurgery using an optical fibre

The paper considers the limiting factors in EEG enhancement in the presence of electrosurgery interference and presents a design for a useful fibre-optic EEG monitoring instrument which is free from such problems as electrical shock (micro and macroshock), patient burns and susceptibility to electrosurgery interference associated with conventional EEG monitors.     

Direct blood-pressure measurements: risks,technological evolution and some current problems

The direct measurement of blood pressure has found widespread use in intensive care units, operating rooms, and in emergency departments. Infection, air embolism and thrombosis are some of the risks to patients associated with both the cannulation procedure and with the apparatus used in the blood-pressure measuring process. Although there is constant revision in an attempt to reduce these risks, they cannot be completely eliminated. The need for direct blood-pressure measurements and the physiological effects of air embolism and thrombosis are reviewed. Infection and problems related to the techniques used to insert the catheters are not discussed.     

ECLIPS: An extended clinical laboratory information processing system

The clinical laboratory is regarded as a component of the medical care system extending from physician to laboratory staff and back to physician. From this concept a computer-based system of laboratory information is derived, emphasizing: (1) total laboratory responsibility for the test and its request, and (2) physician-oriented output reports.     

Patient safety unit for a hot-film anemometer,used for blood-velocity determination in humans

An inexpensive patient safety unit for a constant temperature hot-film anemometer is described. Both the so-called ‘electrical hazard’ and the thermal risk, which is special for the anemometer, have been eliminated.