Quality of Life Issues Following Breast Cancer Treatment.

Breast surgeons are trained in diagnostic modalities, treatment effectiveness, patient safety, and operative techniques, with emphasis on "the right treatment at the right time for the right patient." But delivering quality breast cancer care means more than achieving good outcomes. Physicians have routinely measured disease-free survival and overall survival to determine success in treating breast cancer.

It Is the Little Things That Matter.

How can you prove that you are providing high-quality care? As a consultant breast surgeon, the author thought it meant doing the right thing to the right patient at the right time. She followed the latest clinical guidelines and audited her complication and mortality rates. However, when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 40 and found herself going through every treatment she prescribed to her patients, she realized that something was missing.

Reflections from a breast surgeon with breast cancer on how to improve cancer care.

Healthcare professionals pride themselves on providing high-quality care for their patients. On the whole, we are very good at offering clinically effective and safe treatments and can benchmark our services against our peers. The one area where many providers fall short, however, is the patient experience.

Skin antisepsis for reducing central venous catheter-related infections.

Background: The central venous catheter (CVC) is a device used for many functions, including monitoring haemodynamic indicators and administering intravenous medications, fluids, blood products and parenteral nutrition. However, as a foreign object, it is susceptible to colonisation by micro-organisms, which may lead to catheter-related blood stream infection (BSI) and in turn, increased mortality, morbidities and health care costs.

Objectives: To assess the effects of skin antisepsis as part of CVC care for reducing catheter-related BSIs, catheter colonisation, and patient mortality and morbidities.

WITHDRAWN: Gauze and tape and transparent polyurethane dressings for central venous catheters.

This review has been withdrawn as the topic is covered by Ullman AJ, Cooke ML, Mitchell M, Lin F, New K, Long DA, Mihala G, Rickard CM. Dressings and securement devices for central venous catheters (CVC). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015 , Issue 9 .

Catheter impregnation, coating or bonding for reducing central venous catheter-related infections in adults.

Background: The central venous catheter (CVC) is essential in managing acutely ill patients in hospitals. Bloodstream infection is a major complication in patients with a CVC. Several infection control measures have been developed to reduce bloodstream infections, one of which is impregnation of CVCs with various forms of antimicrobials (either with an antiseptic or with antibiotics).

Optimal timing for intravascular administration set replacement.

Background: The tubing (administration set) attached to both venous and arterial catheters may contribute to bacteraemia and other infections. The rate of infection may be increased or decreased by routine replacement of administration sets. This review was originally published in 2005 and was updated in 2012.

Catheter impregnation, coating or bonding for reducing central venous catheter-related infections in adults.

Background: The central venous catheter (CVC) is a commonly used device in managing acutely ill patients in the hospital. Bloodstream infections are major complications in patients who require a CVC. Several infection control measures have been developed to reduce bloodstream infections, one of which is CVC impregnated with various forms of antimicrobials (either with an antiseptic or with antibiotics).

Gauze and tape and transparent polyurethane dressings for central venous catheters.

Background: Central venous catheters (CVCs) facilitate venous access, allowing the intravenous administration of complex drug treatments, blood products and nutritional support, without the trauma associated with repeated venepuncture. However, CVCs are associated with a risk of infection. Some studies have indicated that the type of dressing used with them may affect the risk of infection.

Research with vulnerable families caring for children with life-limiting conditions.

Methodological challenges associated with sensitive research, such as research with vulnerable families, have been well described, but there are few examples of how such challenges have been addressed in specific projects. To help address this gap, we describe how we designed and conducted a qualitative study of 91 members of 29 families caring for children or young people with life-limiting conditions. Although some issues associated with researching sensitive topics were anticipated, others were encountered that were not expected.

Central venous catheter dressings: a systematic review.

Background: Gauze and tape or transparent polyurethane film dressings such as Tegaderm, Opsite or Opsite IV3000 are the most common types of dressing used to secure central venous catheters (CVCs). Currently, there are no clear guidelines as to which type of dressing is the most appropriate.

Aims: To identify whether there are any differences between gauze and tape and/or transparent polyurethane film dressings in the incidence of CVC-related infection, catheter-related sepsis, catheter security, tolerance to dressing material, dressing condition and ease of application in hospitalized patients.