Improving practice in accessing haemodialysis central venous catheters.

In children, haemodialysis is used as a form of renal replacement therapy and is typically delivered via a central venous catheter (CVC). It is necessary to access the CVC for dialysis and blood sampling regularly, and safe line practice is essential to minimise complications associated with CVCs, including infection. The authors had concerns about the rate of CVC infection in their children's haemodialysis unit, which prompted a practice review.

Pediatric kidney recipients may benefit from monitoring for donor-specific antibodies.

There are limited data regarding the presence of DSAs and their effect on graft function in pediatric renal transplantation. The role for serial DSA monitoring in routine clinical practice is unclear. All patients attending a regional transplant clinic were tested for DSAs, measured using Luminex single/mixed antigen beads.

Implementing the new BCG vaccination guidelines--a maternity hospital-based clinic approach.

Background: With the recent changes to the UK BCG vaccination programme, the emphasis on childhood immunisation changes to identification and immunisation of at risk neonates. We report our experience of improving the system for provision of early BCG immunisation to high-risk infants born in the east of Glasgow.

Methods: A maternity hospital-based BCG clinic was established, together with a programme designed to increase awareness among midwifery and junior medical staff.