Designing an optimal infection prevention service: Part 1.

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) pose a significant threat to the health and safety of patients, staff, and visitors. Infection prevention and control (IPC) teams play a crucial role in ensuring that systems and processes are in place to keep everyone safe within the healthcare environment.

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify components of infection prevention services, priorities, indicators of successes and how they are measured, and facilitators and barriers to success.

Upper Limb Position Tracking with a Single Inertial Sensor Using Dead Reckoning Method with Drift Correction Techniques.

Inertial sensors are widely used in human motion monitoring. Orientation and position are the two most widely used measurements for motion monitoring. Tracking with the use of multiple inertial sensors is based on kinematic modelling which achieves a good level of accuracy when biomechanical constraints are applied.

The impact of pre-existing venous pathology on lower limb free flap reconstruction and the role of preoperative screening: a systematic review.

Lower limb reconstruction is performed to replace like with like and achieve tissue durability. Free flaps are a method of reconstruction commonly used to manage cases of lower limb deficits. However, the failure rate is 8.

The addition of vorinostat to lenalidomide maintenance for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma of all ages: results from 'Myeloma XI', a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase III trial.

Lenalidomide is an effective maintenance agent for patients with myeloma, prolonging first remission and, in transplant eligible patients, improving overall survival (OS) compared to observation. The 'Myeloma XI' trial, for newly diagnosed patients, aimed to evaluate whether the addition of the histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat to the lenalidomide maintenance backbone could improve outcomes further. Patients included in this analysis were randomised to maintenance therapy with lenalidomide alone (10 mg/day on days 1-21 of each 28-day cycle), or in combination with vorinostat (300 mg/day on day 1-7 and 15-21 of each 28-day cycle) with treatment continuing until unacceptable toxicity or progressive disease.

An algorithmic approach to shoulder pathology.

Introduction: Shoulder pain is a common presentation in both hospitals and the community. Shoulder pain can result from a number of different pathologies and to manage the shoulder pain, an accurate diagnosis is needed.

Method: An accurate diagnosis can often be made following a detailed history and examination.

Diagnostic radiography students' perceptions towards communication with service users who are deaf or hearing impaired.

Introduction: Communication issues can arise when deaf or hearing impaired individuals access National Health Service (NHS) radiology services if reasonable adjustments and inclusive services are not facilitated. This study aims to assess student diagnostic radiographers' attitudes and communication experience with service users who are deaf or hearing impaired.

Methods: An anonymous online survey was conducted on UK undergraduate diagnostic radiography students from a single university.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of skin preparation methods for the reduction of (formerly ) in shoulder surgery: a systematic review.

Background: () is the most common pathogen responsible for post-operative shoulder infections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of skin preparation methods against in shoulder surgery.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted evaluating the effectiveness of skin preparation methods in the reduction of in patients undergoing shoulder surgery.

Stapler Assisted Total Laryngectomy: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Study.

Closure of the pharyngeal defect after total laryngectomy had been traditionally performed with manual suturing techniques that invert the mucosal edge this technique though effective, yet it is time-consuming. Recently the use of stapling devices to successfully close the pharyngeal defect after total laryngectomy has been advocated to shorten the operative time, especially in the high-risk cancer patients where a prolonged operative time is not preferred. The present study aimed at comparing stapler assisted total laryngectomy to suture closure total laryngectomy in a prospective randomized manner.

Laryngeal Schwannoma: A Rare Entity.

Of all schwannomas, 24-45% arise from the head and neck area. Laryngeal schwannoma is an uncommon site. We report a case of a 34-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with worsening sudden onset inspiratory stridor.

The impact of the post- COVID 19 pandemic elective waiting list delays on patient reported symptoms and intention to proceed with planned upper limb surgeries-A prospective cohort study.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate patient reported outcome measures using the EQ5D-5L and EQ5D-5L visual analogue scale (VAS) following elective shoulder and elbow orthopaedic list delays. This was further correlated with patients' intention to proceed with the planned surgery.

Methods: Patients on the waiting list for more than 26 weeks were included in the study.

Standardization of serum creatinine is essential for accurate use of unbiased estimated GFR equations: evidence from three cohorts matched on renal function.

Background: Differences in the performance of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations have been attributed to the mathematical form of the equations and to differences between patient demographics and measurement methods. We evaluated differences in serum creatinine (SCr) and eGFR in cohorts matched for age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and measured GFR (mGFR).

Methods: White North Americans from Minnesota ( = 1093) and the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) ( = 1548) and White subjects from the European Kidney Function Consortium (EKFC) cohort ( = 7727) were matched for demographic patient characteristics (sex, age ± 3 years, BMI ± 2.

Comparison of Fetomaternal Complications in Women of High Parity with Women of Low Parity among Saudi Women.

High parity is associated with the risk of fetomaternal complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders, maternal anemia, preterm labor, miscarriage, postpartum hemorrhage, and perinatal and preterm mortality. The objective of the study was to compare fetomaternal complications in women of high parity with women of low parity. This involved a cohort study on a sample size of 500 women who had singleton births.

Best practice standards for the delivery of NHS infection services in the United Kingdom.

Infection expertise in the NHS has historically been provided predominantly by hospital-based medical microbiologists responsible for provision of diagnostic services and advice to front-line clinicians. While most hospitals had consultant-led microbiology departments, infectious iiseases departments were based in a small number of specialist centres. The demand for infection expertise is growing in the NHS, driven by advances in medical care, increasing awareness of the impact of antibiotic resistant and healthcare associated infections and threats from emerging infectious diseases.

Outcomes and drivers of inappropriate dosing of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: There has been limited systematic evaluation of outcomes and drivers of inappropriate non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) dosing among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This review identified and systematically evaluated literature on clinical and economic outcomes of inappropriate NOAC dosing and associated patient characteristics.

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Econlit, PubMed and NHS EEDs databases were searched for English language observational studies from all geographies published between 2008 and 2020, examining outcomes of, or factors associated with, inappropriate NOAC dosing in adult patients with AF.

Recommendations for anatomical structures to identify on ultrasound for the performance of intermediate and advanced blocks in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia.

Recent recommendations describe a set of core anatomical structures to identify on ultrasound for the performance of basic blocks in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia (UGRA). This project aimed to generate consensus recommendations for core structures to identify during the performance of intermediate and advanced blocks. An initial longlist of structures was refined by an international panel of key opinion leaders in UGRA over a three-round Delphi process.

"Vision Loss" and COVID-19 Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Visual impairment in terms of reduced visual acuity and "visual loss" has been reported as an atypical symptom in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the cumulative incidence of "visual loss" during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and review the current evidence regarding "visual loss" caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Key demographics and psychological skills associated with adjustment to progressive Multiple Sclerosis early in the diagnosis.

Background/purpose: Being diagnosed with a progressive type of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been associated with worse psychological outcomes compared to relapsing-remitting type. Previous studies of adjustment to MS have primarily focused on relapsing-remitting type MS. The present study aims to examine psychological adjustment for people newly diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis.

The Role of Widefield and Ultra Widefield Optical Coherence Tomography in the Diagnosis and Management of Vitreoretinal Diseases.

Background: This study reports on the advantages of wide-field (WF)- and ultra-widefield (UWF)- optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in managing different vitreoretinal diseases in a real-life setting using the new WF-Swept Source (SS)-OCT Xephilio S1 (Canon, Tokyo, Japan).

Methods: We conducted an observational retrospective case series study involving 1472 eyes that underwent retinal scans with Canon Xephilio OCT-S1 between 1 March 2021 and 1 December 2021 at Eyecare Clinic (Brescia, Italy). All patients underwent routine ophthalmologic examinations along with WF and UWF color fundus retinography with Clarus 500™ (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.

Three-Dimensional Heads-Up vs. Standard Operating Microscope for Cataract Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The surgical time duration, the postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and the incidence rate of intraoperative complications, alongside the vision and posturing parameters, were estimated by systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the three-dimensional (3D) heads-up visualization system (HUVS) and standard operating microscope (SOM) in cataract surgery.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus on 26 June 2022. The weighted mean difference (WMD) was used to present postoperative BCVA and the mean surgical time duration, whereas the risk ratio (RR) was used to present the incidence rate of intraoperative complications.

Lymph Node Ratio as a Prognostic Factor in Neck Dissection in Oral Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Many studies have evaluated the clinical implications of lymph node ratio (LNR) as a prognostic factor in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The main purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to address LNR as a prognosticator in patients with OSCC. A systematic search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, OpenGrey, Cochrane library, and ClinicalTrials.

Should we recommend early overjet reduction to prevent dental trauma?

There is an association between increased overjet and risk of trauma to the maxillary incisor teeth in children and adolescents. It would therefore seem sensible to recommend overjet reduction as early as possible to help reduce this risk. However, orthodontic outcomes are essentially the same whether you start treatment in the early or late mixed dentition, while early treatment carries a heavier burden on compliance - taking longer and involving more appointments.