Critical care transfers and COVID-19: Managing capacity challenges through critical care networks.

The intensive care units in North West London are part of one of the oldest critical care networks in the UK, forming a mature and established strategic alliance to share resources, experience and knowledge for the benefit of its patients. North West London saw an early surge in COVID-19 admissions, which urgently threatened the capacity of some of its intensive care units even before the UK government announced lockdown. The pre-existing relationships and culture within the network allowed its members to unite and work rapidly to develop agile and innovative solutions, protecting any individual unit from becoming overwhelmed, and ultimately protecting its patients.

A randomised cross-over study comparing ease of tracheal intubation with straight versus curved tracheal tubes.

•Intubation with curved TTs requires less Bougie use than with straight TTs.•Intubation with curved TTs is more rapid than with straight TTs.•Differences are more pronounced for pre-consultant anaesthetic grades.

Improving the management of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia, including MRSA.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia is a serious infection associated with significant complications, including recurrence of bacteraemia, endocarditis and metastatic foci of infection. The management of these patients is often complex, involving appropriate source control, a thorough review and investigations to exclude metastatic foci and infective endocarditis. Additionally, a prolonged course of intravenous antibiotics is often required.