695 Analgesic Ladder Compliance by Junior Doctors on Surgical Wards

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
O Emanuel ◽  
S Mahdi ◽  
S Bondje ◽  
J Tjokarfa ◽  
J Dhunna ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Analgesia makes up an integral part of the management of the surgical patient. The World Health Organisation “analgesic ladder” details the escalation of analgesics from paracetamol through to opiates. Over the past decade, opiate prescriptions in the UK have increased by 22% to 40.5 million a year. Method Drug charts were reviewed on the surgical wards prior to presentation of the trust guidelines to surgical juniors. Inclusion criteria was non-cancerous adults who were not on chronic pain medications and had no known allergy or contraindication to NSAIDs. F1/2s were also surveyed on their knowledge of the trust guidelines Results Compliance improved in weak opioids (10.6%) and oramorph (19.1%) but fell in NSAIDs (-2.9%). Paracetamol was prescribed appropriately in 100%. 78% of doctors admitted to not having read the trust guidelines and 89% to not following them despite 100% being aware of the concept of the analgesic ladder. Conclusions We saw a tangible improvement in opiate prescribing by surgical juniors. However, the overall compliance to the analgesic ladder is still relatively poor given the doctors are all aware of the concept of the analgesic ladder, suggesting appropriate analgesic prescribing does not rank as highly in importance as it should.

Author(s):  
Jordan Bell ◽  
Lis Neubeck ◽  
Kai Jin ◽  
Paul Kelly ◽  
Coral L. Hanson

Physical activity referral schemes (PARS) are a popular physical activity (PA) intervention in the UK. Little is known about the type, intensity and duration of PA undertaken during and post PARS. We calculated weekly leisure centre-based moderate/vigorous PA for PARS participants (n = 448) and PARS completers (n = 746) in Northumberland, UK, between March 2019–February 2020 using administrative data. We categorised activity levels (<30 min/week, 30–149 min/week and ≥150 min/week) and used ordinal regression to examine predictors for activity category achieved. PARS participants took part in a median of 57.0 min (IQR 26.0–90.0) and PARS completers a median of 68.0 min (IQR 42.0–100.0) moderate/vigorous leisure centre-based PA per week. Being a PARS completer (OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.61–2.82) was a positive predictor of achieving a higher level of physical activity category compared to PARS participants. Female PARS participants were less likely (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.43–0.97) to achieve ≥30 min of moderate/vigorous LCPA per week compared to male PARS participants. PARS participants achieved 38.0% and PARS completers 45.3% of the World Health Organisation recommended ≥150 min of moderate/vigorous weekly PA through leisure centre use. Strategies integrated within PARS to promote PA outside of leisure centre-based activity may help participants achieve PA guidelines.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Cantoni ◽  
Martin Mayora-Neto ◽  
Angalee Nadesalingam ◽  
David A. Wells ◽  
George W. Carnell ◽  
...  

One of the defining criteria of Variants of Concern (VOC) is their ability to evade pre-existing immunity, increased transmissibility, morbidity and/or mortality. Here we examine the capacity of convalescent plasma, from a well defined cohort of healthcare workers (HCW) and Patients infected during the first wave from a national critical care centre in the UK, to neutralise B.1.1.298 variant and three VOCs; B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and P.1. Furthermore, to enable lab to lab, country to country comparisons we utilised the World Health Organisation (WHO) International Standard for anti-SARS-CoV-2 Immunoglobulin to report neutralisation findings in International Units. These findings demonstrate a significant reduction in the ability of first wave convalescent plasma to neutralise the VOCs. In addition, Patients and HCWs with more severe COVID-19 were found to have higher antibody titres and to neutralise the VOCs more effectively than individuals with milder symptoms. Widespread use of the WHO International Standard by laboratories in different countries will allow for cross-laboratory comparisons, to benchmark and to establish thresholds of protection against SARS-CoV-2 and levels of immunity in different settings and countries.


Author(s):  
Averil Price

This article provides some background to the Safe Communities concept and sets out the criteria to be satisfied as an International Safe Community (ISC). It concludes with reflections about Chelmsford Borough Council’s responsibilities as a Demonstration Site within the UK, and how Council has contributed within an International Network.There are currently over 200 communities across the world that have been designated as International Safe Communities by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and in June 2010, the Chelmsford Borough Council became the first local authority area to achieve this recognition in the UK. International Safe Communities is a World Health Organisation initiative that recognises safety as a ‘universal concern and a responsibility for all’. 1 It is an approach to community safety that encourages greater cooperation and collaboration between a range of non-government organisations, the business sector and local and government agencies. In order to be designated as an ISC, communities are required to meet six criteria developed by the WHO Collaborating Centre on Community Safety. The ISC accreditation process provides support for communities and indicates a level of achievement by an organisation within the field of community safety.


2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamiris Cristhina Resende ◽  
Marco Antonio Catussi Paschoalotto ◽  
Stephen Peckham ◽  
Claudia Souza Passador ◽  
João Luiz Passador

Abstract This paper aims to analyse the coordination and cooperation in Primary Health Care (PHC) measures adopted by the British government against the spread of the COVID-19. PHC is clearly part of the solution founded by governments across the world to fight against the spread of the virus. Data analysis was performed based on coordination, cooperation, and PHC literature crossed with documentary analysis of the situation reports released by the World Health Organisation and documents, guides, speeches and action plans on the official UK government website. The measures adopted by the United Kingdom were analysed in four periods, which helps to explain the courses of action during the pandemic: pre-first case (January 22- January 31, 2020), developing prevention measures (February 1 -February 29, 2020), first Action Plan (March 1- March 23, 2020) and lockdown (March 24-May 6, 2020). Despite the lack of consensus in essential matters such as Brexit, the nations in the United Kingdom are working together with a high level of cooperation and coordination in decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-55
Author(s):  
Semra Čavaljuga ◽  
Michael Faulde ◽  
Jerrold J. Scharninghausen

At this moment, public health authorities, physicians and scientists around the world are struggling to cope with a severe and rapidly spreading new disease in humans called severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) this appears to be the first severe and easily transmissible new disease to emerge in the 21st century. Though much about the disease remains poorly understood, including the details of the causative virus, we do know that it has features that allow it to spread rapidly along international air travel routes. As of 10 May 2003, a cumulative 7296 probable SARS cases with 526 deaths have been reported from 30 countries on three continents (WHO, ProMED). In the past week, more than 1000 new probable cases and 96 deaths were reported globally. This represents an increase of 119 new cases and 8 new deaths compared with 9 May 2003 (China (85), Taiwan (23), and Hong Kong (7) represented the overwhelming majority, with one additional case each reported from France, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States). Only in China, as of 10 May 2003 (WHO) total of 4884 with 235 deaths have been reported. Some outbreaks have reassuring features.


Author(s):  
Rishabh Dhabalia

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread its terror globally for over a year now. There is no continent that has been spared by this scourge. And perhaps a few small countries with no reported cases. Regardless, it is an irrefutable fact that this novel coronavirus pandemic has shaken the pillars of human civilization. For those unaware or living under a rock since the past year or so, the disease is caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. The first cases were reported to the World Health Organisation as a cluster of pneumonia from unknown causes from Wuhan, China on the 31st December, 2019. And, thus began its reign of terror, spreading across the world, like hot cakes sold out in a carnival. That being said, humanity has suffered a lot at the hands of the pandemic. Innumerous deaths, sufferings, unending lockdowns and curfews, social problems, people losing their livelihoods and the list goes on. It is, thus, easy to give in to the mood of gloom and doom with all that is going on around us. However, just as with anything, there is a side too, that is scarcely talked about. There have also been some positive impacts of this pandemic that one couldn’t have foreseen beforehand. So, without further ado, below we have covered a few positive side effects of this curse of a pandemic!


Author(s):  
Rosie Scott ◽  
Emer Forde ◽  
Clare Wedderburn

AbstractThe World Health Organisation estimate there are about 1 billion migrants in the world today. The scale of population movement and a global refugee crisis presents an enormous challenge for healthcare provision, and too often the specific health needs of refugees and migrants are not met. This study assessed refugee, asylum seeker and vulnerable migrants’ (AMRs') experience of front line primary healthcare in a region of the United Kingdom designated as a ‘City of Sanctuary’. A questionnaire study explored the views of people seeking refuge and third sector workers supporting them. The majority of AMRs were registered with a GP and positive about their consultations. The views of third sector workers provided a less favourable window into their experience of primary care. In conclusion, the work highlighted patchy experience of primary care, even in a region of the UK designated as a ‘City of Sanctuary’ for people seeking refuge. There is a need for further education of rights to care in the UK, information for people on how to navigate local healthcare systems, consistent access to routine health checks and translation services.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-191
Author(s):  
Dae Jung Kim ◽  
Jung Yeon Heo ◽  
Hyun Soo Kim

It has been a year and half since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As of July 23, 2021, more than 193 million people worldwide have been confirmed to contract the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with more than 4.15 million deaths. In Korea, about 185,000 people have been confirmed and 2,066 have died of COVID-19. Korea is in the middle of the fourth wave of trends, and the metropolitan area is in the top stage of social distancing. Since the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination began in the UK in December 2020, the number of people who complete vaccination is only 13.3% around the world, and many low-income countries have less than 5%. In Korea, the first vaccination rate was 32.27%, but only 13% completed the vaccination until July 23. As expected, there has been a lot of confusion, controversy, and even fake news and rumors over the past five months since the vaccination against COVID-19 began in Korea on February 26, 2021. People’s views on vaccination are bound to vary depending on their experience, perspective, and even political stance. In this article, we wanted to introduce the arguments and conflicts that could arise during vaccinations and suggest what we should think about so that many people can get vaccinated without hesitation.


1969 ◽  
Vol 73 (706) ◽  
pp. 864-868
Author(s):  
K. Bergin

The organisations involved in health facilitation are 3 international ones, 1 national one and 1 local one. The three international ones are: (a) The World Health Organisation, an offshoot of the United Nations and before that the League of Nations. This body has headquarters at Geneva and disseminates on a daily basis, world-wide information on epidemic diseases, thus keeping countries fully informed of the current disease position in other countries. (b) The International Civil Aviation Organisation, which is a consortium of Government Agencies which draws up statutory regulations for the international control of air travel including, among others, personnel and medical problems. Its objective is to implement the Chicago Convention which, in turn, was the successor to the Paris Convention. It is obviously desirable that recommended practices of medical standards for pilots should be uniform throughout the world. Sir Frederick Tymms was at one time the UK representative. (c) The International Air Transport Association, a voluntary organisation of air operators which endeavours to regulate conditions among commercially competing airlines. The medical committee, like other committees, makes an annual report to the Executive. Sir Wjlliam Hildred was its distinguished chairman for many years.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marios Ghobrial ◽  
Jos Crush ◽  
Igor Chipurovski ◽  
Fanourios Georgiades

Abstract Introduction Severe-Acute-Respiratory-Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 is a novel, highly infectious virus that has spread throughout the world causing respiratory disease (COVID-19). COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation in March 2020. The UK has been severely affected with around 70000 deaths recorded by December 2020. Surgical practice during this pandemic has changed, as peri-operative infections carry significant mortality and morbidity burden. Method Theatre timing from a large volume hospital specifically for HPB-Transplant dedicated theatres were assessed to evaluate the impact of the national/local COVID-19 protocols on service delivery. “Pre-COVID period” was defined by auditing times from ward-to-theatre, anaesthetic induction-to-start of procedure and end of procedure-to-transfer out of theatre for 2 consecutive weeks in October/November 2019. “COVID period-1” and “COVID period-2” were defined as two consecutive weeks during the UK government-imposed lockdown in April and November 2020, respectively. Results Under the care of the HPB-Transplant team pre-COVID 56 individuals were treated in 30 sessions. Only 16 patients (28.6% of capacity) in 12 sessions were treated in COVID period-1 and 48 patients were treated (85.7% of capacity) in 30 sessions in COVID period-2. Similar times were observed in transferring patients to theatre (p-value=0.265) and induction of anaesthesia (p-value=0.698) across the 3 periods. Significant delays were observed in transferring patients out of theatre during COVID period-1, that returned to near normal timing during COVID period-2 (16.6±12.8 Vs 39.4±10.9 Vs 17.6±10.5 min; p-value = &lt;0.00001). Conclusions Despite returning to near normal theatre timings in COVID period-2, we treat fewer patients, adversely affecting waiting lists.


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