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Showing results for tags 'Surgery - General'.
Found 485 results
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Content ArticleProfessor Peter Brennan is a NHS Consultant Surgeon in Portsmouth, specialising in head and neck cancer. In this episode of the Human Factor Podcast, Peter discusses how he is driving Human Factors approaches from his perspective. To date, Peter has published over 700 publications including more than 80 on Human Factors and patient safety. His HF work has changed the delivery of postgraduate surgery exam delivery in the UK and abroad. Watch all the Human Factors Podcast episodes here.
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Content ArticlePerioperative practitioners in the UK are universally concerned about the risk surgical smoke plume poses to their health. Yet less than a fifth are aware of any policy being in place to manage this risk within their organisation. The majority of hospitals have plume evacuation equipment in place, but it is only used in the minority of surgical procedures. Almost three-quarters of theatre staff have experienced symptoms associated with exposure to surgical smoke plume. But these symptoms are rarely reported and, when they are, no action is generally taken. These are the findings of a new report published by the Surgical Plume Alliance (SPA), a joint advocacy initiative between the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) and the International Council on Surgical Plume (ICSP). They aimed to gain a greater understanding of the awareness levels, training, management and policy surrounding surgical smoke plume in the UK.
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Content ArticleIn this blog, Luke Yamaguchi describes his experience of hernia mesh surgery and the impact the procedure had on his health. He tells his story of having laparoscopic hernia repair using polypropylene (PP) mesh, which left him with severe chronic pain. After nine years, he underwent mesh removal surgery. Alongside his story, he describes the risks associated with surgical mesh and the use of PP as a material, highlights the lack of research about its side-effects and draws attention to the role of industry in promoting the use of mesh.
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Content ArticleThis tool was developed collaboratively between the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP), NHS England (NHSE) and BD to guide perioperative staff in selecting the most appropriate skin preparation solution for respective surgical procedures. By providing a combination of cues pre-defined and selected by the user, this tool recommends the most appropriate surgical skin antiseptic solution, method of use, technique, and precautions. The development of this clinical interactive decision-making tool provides healthcare professionals with evidence-based information at their fingertips to manage surgical site skin preparation effectively. This facilitates clinical decisions in practice, saving time and reducing harm.
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Content ArticleThis paper addresses information raised as part of a Delphi study of NHS hospital operating theatres in England. The aim of the first Delphi study round was to establish how the World Health Organisation’s Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) is currently being used in the peri-operative setting as part of a strategy to reduce surgical ‘never events’. It used a combination of closed and open-ended questions that solicited specific information about current practice and research literature, that generated ideas and allowed participants freedom in their responses. The study asked theatre managers, matrons and clinical educators that work in operating theatres and deliver the surgical safety checklist daily, and who are therefore considered to be theatre safety experts. Participants were from the seven regions identified by NHS England. The study revealed that the majority of trusts don’t receive formal training on how to deliver the SSC, checklist champions are not always identified, feedback following a ‘never event’ is not usually given and that the debrief is the most common step missed. While the intention of the study was not to establish whether the lack of training, cyclical learning and missing steps has led to the increased presence of never events, it has facilitated a broader engagement in the literature, as well highlighting some possible reasons why compliance has not yet been universally achieved. Furthermore, the Delphi study is intended to be an exploratory approach that will inform a more in-depth doctoral research study aimed at improving patient safety in the operating theatre and informing policy making and quality improvement.
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Content ArticleThis article outlines how the first trials relating to harm caused by the LifeCell Strattice biologic patch will proceed. The Strattice patch is a form of surgical mesh used to treat hernias, but unlike other polypropylene mesh devices, it is composed of pig skin preserved in a solution that chemically links together proteins in the tissue. Patients involved in the US litigation complain that they suffered painful injuries from the Strattice patch. They claim that the manufacturer knew it had problems following multiple reports from patients, but failed to act to stop its use. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received at least 450 adverse event reports on Strattice from September 1990 until September 2020. Among those reports were six patient deaths and 340 patient injuries, and many patients have had to undergo mesh removal.
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Content ArticleEvidence suggests that full implementation of the WHO surgical safety checklist across NHS operating theatres is still proving a challenge for many surgical teams. The aim of the current study from Charles Vincent and colleagues was to assess patients’ views of the checklist, which have yet to be considered and could inform its appropriate use, and influence clinical buy-in.
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Content Article
This is part of our series of Patient Safety Spotlight interviews, where we talk to people working for patient safety about their role and what motivates them. Kathy tells us about the importance of breaking down barriers to share patient safety tools, and talks about changes she has implemented to make surgery safer. -
Content ArticleMr B was 71 years' old and was undergoing treatment for cancer of the oesophagus. During surgery, a nasogastric tube that had been inserted became dislodged and was put back into place by medical staff, despite guidelines against this. The family realised that something had gone wrong in the operation and Mr B became very seriously ill, dying five months later. When the family asked the hospital for an investigation, they revealed that a hole had been made in Mr B’s stomach when the nasogastric tube was replaced. There was no assurance given that steps would be taken to prevent similar errors in the future, and no apology from the hospital. The family sought legal advice and came to an out of court settlement with the hospital.
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Content ArticleVideo recording technologies offer a powerful way to document what happens in clinical areas. Cameras, and to a lesser extent, microphones, can be found in a growing number of modern operating rooms in the USA, UK and other parts of the world. While they could be used to create a detailed record of what happens in and around the operating table, this is still rarely being done; the vast majority of operations are still only documented in written operation notes. In this paper, Bezemer et al. discuss using microanalysis of videos from the operating room.
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Content ArticleAnaemia is associated with adverse outcomes of surgery. The blood loss of surgery or trauma can cause or worsen anaemia. People who have anaemia have a worse result from their operation including poorer wound healing, slower mobilisation and an increased risk of death. The Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC) perioperative anaemia guideline has been developed using a whole pathway approach. It contains recommendations for patients of all ages undergoing surgery and for healthcare professionals in both emergency and elective surgical settings and across specialties. The aim of this guideline is to ensure that the patient is at the centre of the whole process, and that everyone involved in their care carries out their individual responsibilities to minimise the risk from anaemia.
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Content ArticleOn 5 October 2022, the Safety for All campaign hosted a webinar on the prevention of sharps injuries and theatre safety. There were over fifty people in attendance and there was a lively discussion throughout in person and on the chat. The webinar featured five presentations which are summarised below.
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Content ArticleDigital technologies have the potential to transform surgery and medical device manufacturers are now evolving to advance this technology-driven revolution. So, how could ‘digital surgery’ lead to reduced variation, improved outcomes, and increased efficiency? Pioneering medical technology firms are transforming the way surgical care is being delivered, driving a revolution in what has been coined ‘digital surgery’. One of the key innovators in this field is Johnson & Johnson MedTech. The Clinical Services Journal spoke to the J&J MedTech UK & Ireland leadership team to gain an insight into how technology is changing surgical approaches and improving outcomes for patients
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Content Article'The state of care in NHS acute hospitals 2014 to 2016' presents findings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC's) programme of NHS acute comprehensive inspections. The report captures what has been learned from three years’ worth of inspections. It gives a baseline on quality that is unique in the world – and also shows that it is possible, even in challenging times, to deliver the transformational change that is needed if the NHS is to continue delivering high-quality care into the future.
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Event
Future Surgery Virtual
Patient Safety Learning posted an event in Community Calendar
untilDriven by advances in digital technology, precision medicine and the need for improved patient safety the future of surgery is changing, and fast. Future Surgery Virtual brings experts and innovators virtually together to explore these changes and how they will transform the profession. Future Surgery Virtual is a two-day online conference and networking event dedicated to all that is new in surgery. The event explores the evolving world of surgery with expert speakers delivering CPD accredited education. Further information and registration -
EventA record excess of four million people are now awaiting hospital treatment in England. This number includes more than 83,000 who have been waiting more than a year. On Thursday 17 September, RSM President Professor Roger Kirby will interview Professor Derek Alderson, immediate past President of the Royal College of Surgeons, Ben Challacombe, Consultant Urological Surgeon at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Hannah Warren, Specialist Registrar at King’s College Hospital to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgeons, surgery and surgical waiting lists. In addition, the panel will discuss whether the mass testing proposed by the Prime Minister in his “Operation Moonshot” initiative could help to resolve the situation. The webinar will include plenty of opportunities for questions. Registration
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EventuntilThis is a global online event from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, relevant to all who work in healthcare, with a focus on the role of the surgical team in delivering care. Everyone is invited to register for this free online event. The participants will be encouraged to use a smartphone or another second screen to actively participate and answer questions. This event will be delivered on Zoom – questions can be submitted, and the use of the chat room is encouraged. Registered participants will get a copy of the webinar recording, slides, questions and answers, chat room, Menti results and a Spotify playlist. The conference panel is formed of a diverse group of experts with a range of skills in healthcare, surgery, education, business, leadership, coaching, training, human factors, and situational awareness. They have experience working with high performance teams, global industries, firefighters, aircrews, and fighter pilots in theatres of operation, cockpits, and on oil rigs. All have worked in high performance teams and understand the critical importance of listening and communication. The conference is headlined by the global leader, Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller and co-author of the bestselling book; ‘Everybody Matters – the extraordinary power of caring for your people like family’. Further information and registration
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Content ArticleThe Patient Safety Authority has put together information and tips for patients on a range of topics.
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Content ArticleToday was the Parliamentary launch event of the Surgical Fires Expert Working Group’s report, 'A case for the prevention and management of surgical fires in the UK', which focuses on the prevention of surgical fires in the NHS This report contains important information on surgical fires and their prevention, to be submitted to the Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC), in order to make the case for its inclusion on their agenda. In the perioperative setting, a fire may cause injury to both the patient and healthcare professionals. Injuries caused by a surgical fire most commonly occur on the head, face, neck and upper chest. The prevention of surgical fires, which can occur on or in a patient while in the operating theatre, is an urgent and serious patient safety issue in UK hospitals. A Short Life Working Group (SLWG) for the prevention of surgical fires was established in May 2019, following an initial discussion in December 2018 on the issue of surgical fires in the UK. The group of experts from healthcare organisations and bodies across the UK convened four times in 2019 with the aim of compiling this document, in order to recommend surgical fires for a Never Event classification. The group conducted a literature review of best practice and evidence, in the UK and internationally, which informed the development of a number of considerations that could address the issue of surgical fires. This report contains information surrounding the scale of the problem of surgical fires in the UK, in addition to reported experiences of these incidences by both healthcare professionals and patients. It also includes prevention and management materials, and mandatory training that should be consistently delivered to hospital staff, and concludes with recommendations moving forward, in order to ensure the prevention of surgical fires in UK hospitals.
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Content Article
Patient Safety Authority: Surgical fires
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Surgery
Fires on the operating field are rare events that should never happen, but do. They are dangerous not only to the patient but to the operating room (OR) team members as well. Surgical fires remain a significant enough risk to justify use of a Fire Risk Assessment Score and adherence to the recommendations of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Operating Room Fires and those of the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation. Here, the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority shares key data and statistics, educational tools, multimedia and related links on surgical fires. -
Content ArticleNew analysis by the Health Foundation shows there were 4.7 million fewer people referred for routine hospital care – for things like hip, knee and cataract surgery – between January and August 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, representing a potential hidden backlog of unmet care needs. The research highlights the scale of the challenge facing the NHS as it looks to resume services following the disruption caused by the first wave of COVID-19. The number of patients in hospital with COVID-19 is growing as we head into winter, a time when the NHS always experiences greater pressures from flu and other seasonal illnesses. If the virus is not controlled and emergency pressures surge, even more routine treatment will need to be postponed which will only add to the challenge of recovering from the pandemic.
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Content ArticleThe purpose of the US Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals is to improve patient safety. The goals focus on problems in healthcare safety in the USA and how to solve them. They include identifying patients correctly, improving staff communication, use medicine safely, use alarms safely, prevent infection, identify patient safety risks and prevent mistakes in surgery.
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Content ArticleAmong the range of avoidable harms associated with health care, health care-associated infections (HAI) are a significant burden. Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most frequent HAI in low and middle income countries and the second most frequent HAI in higher income settings. In the most challenged settings, they can affect up to one-third of surgical patients. SSI prevention is a high priority worldwide, but it is particularly complex as the risks include multiple factors determined by the patient’s condition, the system and the environment, as well as behaviours and actions associated with the organization and delivery of health care.
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Content ArticleThe quality of most published robotic surgery studies is low, and studies are often inconclusive when it comes to effectiveness compared to open and laparoscopic procedure approaches. Furthermore, clinical literature has shown significant variation in practice and recommendations for surgeon training and credentialing. However, despite the evidence, the number of robotic surgery procedures continues to increase. In this blog ECRI looks at the risks associated with robotic surgery focussing mainly on three areas: patient safety and surgeon experience, evidence and cost.
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Content Article
WHO: What you need to know before and after surgery
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Surgery
If you or your child is undergoing a surgical procedure, be sure to communicate the following to your healthcare provider. Your active participation in health care is important for your safety. This information from the World Health Organization (WHO) will help your discussion with your care-provider. Be a well-informed partner in your own care.
