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Patient safety
Antibiotics treat back pain?
From Sky News: Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark say 40% of patients with chronic low back pain are suffering from an infection in their spine. They found that a 100-day course of antibiotics could significantly reduce pain and disability. Dr Hanne Albert, who led the research, told Sky News: “These people suffer constantly. … Continue reading
111 Troubles
From the BBC: The new NHS non-emergency 111 telephone service in England is in a fragile state in a number of areas ahead of bank holiday weekend, NHS bosses admit. Reports have been emerging for weeks of calls going unanswered and poor advice being given, leading to hospitals being inundated with patients. The problems plaguing … Continue reading
Welsh Measles epidemic now over 800
From the BBC: The number of measles cases in the Swansea epidemic has increased to 808, officials say. Areas to think about: What is measles? Why was the young population in Wales susceptible to a measles epidemic? How does vaccination work? What was responsible for a drop in MMR vaccination rates, and what do you … Continue reading
Redefining Good Medical Practice
The GMC have revised Good Medical Practice for 2013. Good Medical Practice outlines the core roles & responsibilities of being a doctor. The latest edition can be found at http://www.gmc-uk.org/gmp2013, with the full PDF being accessible at http://www.gmc-uk.org/GMP_2013.pdf_51447599.pdf Prospective applicants to medical school may find it useful to browse the document, familiarising themselves with the … Continue reading
97% of GPs have recommended placebos
From the BBC: In a poll, 97% of 783 GPs admitted that they had recommended a sugar pill or a treatment with no established efficacy for the ailment their patient came in with. The PLOS One study authors say this may not be a bad thing – doctors are doing it to help, not to … Continue reading
Conscious under Anaesthesia?
From Science: “We’ve known since the 1930s that brain activity changes dramatically with increasing doses of anesthetic,” says the study’s corresponding author, anesthesiologist Patrick Purdon of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “But monitoring a patient’s brain with EEG has never become routine practice.” … The researchers… found a pattern unique to the transition period. During … Continue reading
Suicide rates
From the BBC: Some 6,045 people killed themselves in 2011, an increase of 437 since 2010. The highest suicide rate was among men aged between 30 and 44. About 23 men per 100,000 took their own lives. On average, across both sexes, 11.8 people per 100,000 population killed themselves in 2011, up from 11.1 people … Continue reading
Consolidating Hospitals
From the BBC: Dr Lee believes a hospital near the M4 could serve 650,000 patients in south Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and south Oxfordshire. He said: “It’s challenging the perception of what a hospital is for. It’s very emotive and there is a certain sentimentality people feel towards their local hospitals. “It challenges the make-do-and-mend which has … Continue reading
Squeezing Medical Pay & Conditions
From the Guardian: Moves to force hospitals to provide routine surgery and scans over weekends are expected to accelerate this week when NHS medical chiefs outline policies to ensure more seven-day cover. GPs will also be expected to open surgeries for appointments rather than leaving patients to wait or use out-of-hours services. Moves towards 24/7 … Continue reading
Changing a (Healthcare) Culture
From the BBC: … when trying to deliver the right kind of care, the health service often addresses regulation, standard setting, inspection and monitoring. This approach aims to improve scrutiny and accountability, which most people would agree is a “good thing”. But there is a risk that a constant focus on targets, procedures and performance … Continue reading
