Single arm phase II trial assessing the safety, compliance with and activity of Bezafibrate and medroxyProgesterone acetate (BaP) therapy against myeloid and lymphoid cancers.

We previously reported the safety and efficacy of low dose BaP [ezafibrate (Bez) nd Medroxyrogesterone acetate (MPA)] in 20 acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients for whom chemotherapy was not an option. This study provided evidence that BaP had anti-AML activity and improved haemopoiesis; absence of haematological toxicity allowed continuous daily administration. Similarly a previous trial in endemic Burkitt lymphoma demonstrated anti-B cell lymphoma activity of low and high dose BaP again in the absence of toxicity.

Adult Co-morbidity Evaluation 27 scores of head and neck cancer patients using touch-screen technology: patient satisfaction and clinical verification.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess head and neck cancer patient satisfaction with the use of a touch-screen computer patient-completed questionnaire for assessing Adult Co-morbidity Evaluation 27 co-morbidity scores prior to treatment, along with its clinical reliability.

Methods: A total of 96 head and neck cancer patients were included in the audit. An accurate Adult Co-morbidity Evaluation 27 co-morbidity score was achieved via patient-completed questionnaire assessment for 97 per cent of participants.

Cost analysis of cetuximab (Erbitux) plus radiotherapy (ERT) versus concomitant cisplatin plus radiotherapy (CRT) within an NHS oncology unit (single institution): a pilot study.

Objective: The aim of this feasibility study is to define the resource effectiveness of cetuximab vs cisplatin given concomitantly with radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma within a National Health Service clinical oncology unit.

Methods: 20 patients with Stage 3 or 4 head and neck squamous cell cancers were randomized to receive either cetuximab with radiotherapy (ERT) or cisplatin with radiotherapy concurrent with external beam radiotherapy 70 Gy in 35 fractions on a 1 : 1 basis over a 12-month duration. The study compared the resource utilization of ERT vs cisplatin with radiotherapy taking into account drug costs, clinical management and the costs of managing treatment-related toxicity from first fraction of radiotherapy to 6 months after the completion of therapy.

Tackling infection in care homes.

Care home residents have a higher risk of contracting a healthcare-associated infection than the general population. This article describes a three-dimensional strategy that reduced MRSA colonisation among this group. This project won a Nursing Times/Health Service Journal Patient Safety Award in the primary care category in 2011.

Neonatal nurse staffing and delivery of clinical care in the SSBC Newborn Network.

Objective: To measure nursing workload and timely completion of essential tasks in relation to the staffing levels recommended by the British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) in Staffordshire, Shropshire and Black Country Newborn Network.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted measuring the time taken by selected nurses to undertake the necessary tasks for babies receiving different levels of care in the Network's six constituent neonatal units. An independent observer was used.

EDTA sample contamination is common and often undetected, putting patients at unnecessary risk of harm.

Background: Potassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a sample tube anticoagulant used for many laboratory analyses. Gross potassium EDTA contamination of blood samples is easily recognised by marked hyperkalaemia and hypocalcaemia. However, subtle contamination is a relatively common, often unrecognised erroneous cause of spurious hyperkalaemia.

Family centred care for the neonate -- the view from Wolverhampton.

The increased technology of neonatal intensive care has meant that babies born at increasingly lower gestational age are surviving to be discharged home. A family centred approach in neonatal care supports the move toward patient or parent empowerment, which is vital, if babies are to be fully integrated into the family unit. Nurses are essential to the success of this process as they have the most direct and prolonged contact with both family and their baby.