SP2.2.6An audit on core surgical trainees’ operating theatre experience to improve compliance against JCST training quality indicators

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haseeb Khawar ◽  
Saad Rehman ◽  
Nandu Nair ◽  
David Luke

Abstract Aims The primary aim of this study was to audit the experience of core surgical trainees in operating theatres with a view to devise some interventions to improve the quality of theatre experience. Methods This study was a prospective audit that involved filling out a set proforma by all core surgical trainees working in a busy surgical department of a tertiary care university hospital. The proforma included a breakdown of questions to signpost indicators of quality experience and check compliance with the Joint Committee on Surgical Training (JCST) guidelines. It was completed with particular consideration given to the experience while trainees were on their CEPOD week to facilitate accuracy and relevance of feedback. Results 8 core surgical trainees filled out the proforma. 75% of trainees had the opportunity to reflect the case with the senior surgeon. Lowest compliance was shown for pre-operative discussion of crucial learning points with the senior surgeon. Only 50% of trainees had a chance to do a briefing pre-operatively which is one of the JCST quality indicator for core surgical trainees. Conclusion This audit demonstrates the potential for improvement in the operating theatre experience of junior surgical trainees considering JCST Quality Improvement indicators. A checklist may be introduced to achieve maximum utilisation of the finite training opportunities available to current junior surgical trainees. A loop closing audit after the checklist will be able to assess the change in practice and theatre experience.

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanzeela Gala ◽  
Quratul Ain ◽  
Chekwas Obasi ◽  
Hajar Rashid ◽  
Sarkhell Radha ◽  
...  

Abstract Aim Higher Surgical training was decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic with cessation of elective care. Trainees raised concerns that the elective restart and need for higher theatre activity to clear backlogs would impact on training opportunities. This study evaluated the resumption of training associated with a ring-fenced elective centre (EC). Methods The EC was established in July 2020 and three time periods were determined: pre-COVID (10/19-2/20), 1st wave of COVID (3/20-7/20) and post EC go-live (8/20-12/20). Data was collated from the E-Logbooks of General Surgery Registrars. Results The normal all-speciality pre COVID theatre-activity averaged 1052 cases/month. During the first wave elective activity decreased to 254 cases/month (24% of normal activity). Within 5 weeks of establishment of the EC, theatre activity was near normal despite a reduced number of theatres (with higher theatre utilisation). Pre COVID, trainees accessed 22.9 cases per month which then dropped to 7.7 cases during the first wave of COVID. Post the go live of the EC, trainees were able to operate on 20 cases per month almost back to normal training levels. Prior to the impact of the second wave, each trainee had developed a deficit of 90 cases during the 5 months pause. Conclusion The ring-fenced elective centre has protected training opportunities for higher surgical trainees. However, the pause in training requires a targeted training recovery plan to overcome the deficit secondary to the first and subsequent waves of COVID to ensure that the JCST target of 1200 cases can be met for CCT.


2012 ◽  
Vol 94 (10) ◽  
pp. 352-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie-Anne Welchman ◽  
Denis Wilkins ◽  
Harvey Chant

Operative skills are the defining attribute of a surgeon. Traditional surgical training encourages trainees to take every opportunity to spend time observing and assisting in the operating theatre. There is an impression that the time constraints of working schedules, the breakdown of the traditional consultant team and the structured approach adopted by the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP) have discouraged trainees from spending time in the operating theatre outside of explicit training sessions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Pendegast

Abstract Introduction Despite increases in the female surgical trainee workforce over the last decade male trainees still dominate the surgical specialties. It is well recognised that there is strong gender disparity in surgery. The wider challenges further experienced by pregnant surgical trainees are also well documented. Method NHS digital data on the surgical workforce and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists COVID-19 guidance for pregnant healthcare workers was reviewed. Results Women account for 27% of the surgical workforce and the average time taken to complete training is longer for female trainees. Current guidelines for pregnant healthcare workers advise strict social distancing measures up to 28 weeks gestation with avoidance of high-risk areas including operating theatres. A non-patient facing role is advised from 28 weeks onward. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has created additional barriers for women in surgery. Restrictions for pregnant trainees, whilst vital for their wellbeing, has denied access to some essential training opportunities necessary for progression. It will likely further isolate them from the workforce and hinder their advancement into senior roles where they are already underrepresented. Although it is recognised that surgical training in general has been impacted by COVID-19 there is an argument that this disproportionately affects pregnant trainees.


Author(s):  
Gurumayum Sonachand Sharma ◽  
Anupam Gupta ◽  
Meeka Khanna ◽  
Naveen Bangarpet Prakash

Abstract Objective The aim of the study is to observe the effect of post-stroke depression on functional outcomes during inpatient rehabilitation. Patients and Methods The design involved is prospective observational study. The location involved is Neurological Rehabilitation unit in a tertiary care university hospital. The study period ranges from October 2019 to April 2020. The participants involved are the patients with first ever stroke, male and female with age ≥18 years and duration less than 1 year. All participants were assessed at admission and after 14 sessions of inpatient rehabilitation by depression subscale of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). The stroke outcomes measures used were: Barthel Index (BI), Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS), and Modified Rankin Scale (MRS). Results There are a total of 30 participants (18 males) with median stroke duration of 90 days. The median age of the patients was 58 years. Sixteen patients had ischemic and 14 had hemorrhagic stroke. Out of these, 57% (n = 17) had symptoms of depression (HADS-D >7). Participants in both groups (with and without depression) showed improvement in all the functional outcome measures (BI, SSS, MRS) at the time of discharge as compared with admission scores. The changes in the outcome measures were statistically significant within groups (p < 0.05) but not significant between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion The post-stroke depression is common among stroke survivors of less than 1 year duration. There was no significant difference in the functional outcomes between stroke patients with depression and those without depression with inpatient rehabilitation program.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Han ◽  
H White ◽  
K Bosch ◽  
M Nair

Abstract Introduction Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) tends to occur in elderly patients with complex comorbidities. At North Middlesex University Hospital (NMUH), LGIB patients are primarily managed by the surgical department. We amended local policies by integrating aspects of new guidelines published by the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG). Method Handover documentation between November 2019 and January 2020 established patients admitted with LGIB (n = 45). Further data regarding the management of these patients was collated from clinical software and compared to standards set from BSG guidelines. Results We found NMUH to be efficient in ruling out upper GI bleeds via 24-hour OGDs and had low surgical intervention rates (0.02%). 40% of patients were transfused with an admission haemoglobin above suggested NICE thresholds, accounting for cardiovascular comorbidities. 56% of patients were discharged without a documented anticoagulation plan. Over 50% of patients did not have BSG recommended inpatient investigations. Conclusions Updated Trust guidelines aim to uphold areas that NMUH were shown to excel in, while reiterating NICE transfusion thresholds and include guidance regarding anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications. The Oakland score and shock index have been integrated into local protocols and will aid clinicians in making safe decisions in the management of LGIB patients.


OTO Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 2473974X2199474
Author(s):  
Mursalin M. Anis ◽  
Jennylee Diaz ◽  
Mausam Patel ◽  
Adam T. Lloyd ◽  
David E. Rosow

Objective Glottic keratosis poses a challenge because a decision to biopsy must weigh the likelihood of dysplasia and cancer against the voice outcome after biopsy. We determined the significance of laryngoscopic findings and agreement among clinicians to identify those specific findings. Study Design Retrospective case-control study. Setting Tertiary care university hospital. Methods Adults with glottic keratosis with preoperative office laryngoscopies were included. Preoperative videostroboscopies were reviewed by a blinded reviewer. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the correlation between laryngoscopic appearance of glottic keratosis and presence or absence of high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma on biopsies. Consensus among head and neck cancer surgeons to detect specific laryngoscopic findings was evaluated by presenting representative laryngoscopies to a blinded cohort. Interrater reliability was calculated using Fleiss’s κ. Results Sixty glottic keratotic lesions met inclusion criteria. On logistic regression, both erythroplakia and aberrant microvasculature like vascular speckling were significantly associated with high-grade dysplasia and carcinoma, P = .002 and P = .03, respectively. Interrater reliability among clinicians to identify erythroplakia and aberrant microvasculature was minimal, κ = 0.35 and κ = 0.29, respectively. Interrater reliability was improved with the use of virtual chromoendoscopy. Conclusion The presence of erythroplakia and aberrant microvasculature in glottic keratosis is associated with the presence of high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma. Virtual chromoendoscopy can be used to improve reliability for detecting erythroplakia and vascular speckling, and this is a potential area for practice-based learning. Clinicians should identify and consider immediate diagnostic biopsy of suspicious glottic keratosis.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1064
Author(s):  
Gitana Scozzari ◽  
Cristina Costa ◽  
Enrica Migliore ◽  
Maurizio Coggiola ◽  
Giovannino Ciccone ◽  
...  

This observational study evaluated SARS-CoV-2 IgG seroprevalence and related clinical, demographic, and occupational factors among workers at the largest tertiary care University-Hospital of Northwestern Italy and the University of Turin after the first pandemic wave of March–April 2020. Overall, about 10,000 individuals were tested; seropositive subjects were retested after 5 months to evaluate antibodies waning. Among 8769 hospital workers, seroprevalence was 7.6%, without significant differences related to job profile; among 1185 University workers, 3.3%. Self-reporting of COVID-19 suspected symptoms was significantly associated with positivity (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.07, 95%CI: 1.76–2.44), although 27% of seropositive subjects reported no previous symptom. At multivariable analysis, contacts at work resulted in an increased risk of 69%, or 24% for working in a COVID ward; contacts in the household evidenced the highest risk, up to more than five-fold (OR 5.31, 95%CI: 4.12–6.85). Compared to never smokers, being active smokers was inversely associated with seroprevalence (OR 0.60, 95%CI: 0.48–0.76). After 5 months, 85% of previously positive subjects still tested positive. The frequency of SARS-COV-2 infection among Health Care Workers was comparable with that observed in surveys performed in Northern Italy and Europe after the first pandemic wave. This study confirms that infection frequently occurred as asymptomatic and underlines the importance of household exposure, seroprevalence (OR 0.60, 95%CI: 0.48–0.76).


2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 209-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal Robitaille ◽  
Esther Dajczman ◽  
Andrew M Hirsch ◽  
David Small ◽  
Pierre Ernst ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Targeted spirometry screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been studied in primary care and community settings. Limitations regarding availability and quality of testing remain. A targeted spirometry screening program was implemented within a presurgical screening (PSS) clinic to detect undiagnosed airways disease and identify patients with COPD/asthma in need of treatment optimization.OBJECTIVE: The present quality assurance study evaluated airflow obstruction detection rates and examined characteristics of patients identified through the targeted screening program.METHODS: The targeted spirometry screening program was implemented within the PSS clinic of a tertiary care university hospital. Current or ex-smokers with respiratory symptoms and patients with a history of COPD or asthma underwent prebronchodilator spirometry. History of airways disease and smoking status were obtained during the PSS assessment and confirmed through chart reviews.RESULTS: After exclusions, the study sample included 449 current or ex-smokers. Abnormal spirometry results were found in 184 (41%) patients: 73 (16%) had mild, 93 (21%) had moderate and 18 (4%) had severe or very severe airflow obstruction. One hundred eighteen (26%) new cases of airflow obstruction suggestive of COPD were detected. One-half of these new cases had moderate or severe airflow obstruction. Only 34% of patients with abnormal spirometry results had reported a previous diagnosis of COPD. More than one-half of patients with abnormal spirometry results were current smokers.CONCLUSIONS: Undiagnosed airflow obstruction was detected in a significant number of smokers and ex-smokers through a targeted screening program within a PSS clinic. These patients can be referred for early intervention and secondary preventive strategies.


2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang Hoon Han ◽  
Bum Sik Chin ◽  
Han Sung Lee ◽  
Su Jin Jeong ◽  
Hee Kyung Choi ◽  
...  

Objective.To describe the incidence of recovery of both vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) from culture of a single clinical specimen, to describe the clinical characteristics of patients from whom these specimens were recovered, and to identify the risk factors of these patients.Design.A retrospective cohort and case-control study.Setting.A tertiary care university hospital and referral center in Seoul, Korea.Methods.We identified 61 case patients for whom a single clinical specimen yielded both VRE and MRSA on culture, and 122 control patients for whom any clinical specimen yielded only VRE on culture. The control patients were selected by matching 2 :1 with the case patients for age, sex, and first date of sampling that led to isolation of VRE or both VRE and MRSA among 1,536 VRE-colonized patients from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2006. To identify patient risk factors for the recovery of both VRE and MRSA in a single clinical specimen, we performed univariate comparisons between the 2 groups and then multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results.The incidence of recovery of both VRE and MRSA from culture of a single clinical specimen was 3.97% (for 61 of 1,536 VRE-colonized patients) over 4 years. Among these 82 single clinical specimens, the most common type was wound specimens (26.8%), followed by lower respiratory tract specimens (18.3%), urine specimens (17.1%), and catheter tips (15.9%). Of the 61 case patients, 14 (23.0%) had 2 or more single clinical specimens that yielded both VRE and MRSA on culture, and the longest interval from the first sampling that yielded both organisms to the last sampling that yielded both was 174 days. Independent patient risk factors for the presence of both VRE and MRSA in a single clinical specimen were chronic renal disease (odds ratio [OR], 7.00;P= .012), urinary catheterization (OR, 3.36;P= .026), and longer total cumulative duration of hospital stay within the previous year (OR, 1.03;P< .001).Conclusion.We confirmed that the recovery of VRE and MRSA from a single clinical specimen occurs continually. Because prolonged cell-to-cell contact can facilitate transfer ofvanA,close observation and surveillance for vancomycin-resistantS. aureus, especially among patients with risk factors for the recovery of both VRE and MRSA from a single clinical specimen, should be continued.


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