The role of the surgical care practitioner during the COVID-19 pandemic: An audit of experiences.

Introduction: The Surgical Care Practitioner is a medical associate profession role, working to an advanced level, undertaken by registered nurses, operating department practitioners or physiotherapists, on completion of a Royal College of Surgeons accredited course. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to all heath care professionals needing to adapt to help support the health care system as it tackles its effect.

Aim: Audit of roles undertaken by Surgical Care Practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of Royal College of Surgeons (2014) Curriculum to review the utilisation of this medical associate profession role.

Could routine saphenous vein ultrasound mapping reduce leg wound complications in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting?

A best evidence topic was written in cardiothoracic surgery based on a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether ultrasound mapping of the long saphenous vein (LSV) might reduce leg wound complications by reducing unnecessary leg incisions due to poor quality veins. Altogether, 32 abstracts were identified from the search, from which 5 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question.