Nurses must work 'smarter' to avoid proposed job cuts

NURSES WILL have to work even 'smarter', NHS managers have warned, despite the government's rejection last month of a report proposing thousands of NHS job cuts.

Criminal record checks to remain in place regardless of pandemic

The requirement to carry out Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks on nurses during a pandemic flu outbreak will not be waived by NHS Employers.

DH rules out NHS job cuts but staff will have to work 'smarter'

Nurses will have to work 'smarter' to increase productivity, NHS managers said last week after a report commissioned by the Department of Health proposed thousands of job cuts.

Emergency service review prompts launch of trouble-shooting team

AS THE UK prepares for a heatwave this summer and pandemic flu in the autumn, it can be easy to forget the trials faced by emergency care staff last winter.

Stark warning for emergency nurses: prepare to ration care during flu pandemic

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS (EDs) have been warned that, if they fail to prepare for the flu pandemic, staff may fall ill or even die because of unnecessary exposure to a virulent virus.

Phase I study of vandetanib with radiation therapy and temozolomide for newly diagnosed glioblastoma

2031

Background: There is increasing evidence that angiogenesis inhibition may potentiate the effects of radiation therapy (RT) and chemotherapy in patients with glioblastoma (GBM). In addition, inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) may be of therapeutic benefit, as EGFR is often upregulated in GBM and contributes to radiation resistance. We conducted a phase I study of vandetanib, an inhibitor of VEGFR2 and EGFR, in patients with newly-diagnosed GBM in combination with RT and temozolomide (TMZ). Methods: Using a standard 3 + 3 dose escalation design, 13 newly-diagnosed GBM patients received vandetanib with RT (60 Gy) and concurrent TMZ 75 mg/m2 daily, followed by adjuvant TMZ for up to 12 cycles (150–200 mg/m2 on days 1–5 of each 28 day cycle). The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was defined as the dose with ≤1/6 dose-limiting toxicities (DLT). Eligible patients were adults with newly-diagnosed GBM or gliosarcoma, Karnofsky performance status of ≥60%, normal organ function, and not taking enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic drugs. MTD was determined by evaluation of DLTs during the first 12 weeks of therapy. Results: Six patients were treated with vandetanib at 200 mg daily. 2/6 patients developed DLTs (grade 5 gastrointestinal hemorrhage and grade 3 thrombocytopenia in one patient and grade 4 neutropenia in one patient). Seven patients were treated at 100 mg daily with no DLTs observed, establishing 100 mg daily as the MTD. Of 10 evaluable patients, one had a minor response (10%), defined as 25% to <50% reduction in enhancing area for 8 weeks; eight had stable disease (80%), defined as <25% increase or decrease; and one had progressive disease (10%). Conclusions: These data suggest that vandetanib may be combined with RT and TMZ in GBM patients. A randomized phase II study in which patients receive RT and TMZ with or without vandetanib 100 mg daily is underway.

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Hospital infection society prevalence survey of Healthcare Associated Infection 2006: comparison of results between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

As part of the Third Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI) Prevalence Survey of the United Kingdom and Ireland, HCAI point prevalence surveys were carried out in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (RoI). Here we explore the potential benefits of comparing results from two countries with different healthcare systems, which employed similar methodologies and identical HCAI definitions. Forty-four acute adult hospitals in the RoI and 15 in NI participated with a total of 11 185 patients surveyed (NI 3644 patients and RoI 7541). The overall HCAI prevalence was 5.4 and 4.9 in NI and the RoI, respectively. There was no significant difference in prevalence rates of HCAI, device-related HCAI or HCAI associated with bloodstream infection but there was a difference in meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-related HCAI (P = 0.02) between the two countries. There were significantly more urinary tract infections and Clostridium difficile infections recorded in NI (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001). HCAIs were more prevalent in patients aged >65 years and in the intensive care unit in both countries. HCAIs were also more prevalent if patients were mechanically ventilated, had had recent non-implant surgery (RoI) or had more recorded HCAI risk factors. This is the first time that HCAI prevalence rates have been directly compared between NI and the RoI. By closely examining similarities and differences between HCAI prevalence rates in both countries it is hoped that this will influence healthcare planning and at the same time reassure the public that HCAI is important and that measures are being taken to combat it.

Funds for hospital trusts to recruit specialist staff in fight against infection

Every hospital trust in England will be able to recruit extra staff as part of a government initiative to improve infection control.