Selective epicardial pulsed field ablation of atrial ganglionated plexi causes anti-arrhythmic prolongation of refractoriness: demonstration of feasibility in cardiac surgery patients

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): EU Horizon 2020 SME Instrument.

Background

Epicardial ganglionated plexi (GP) play a significant role in the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation. However, modulation of this effect, through GP ablation, has had limited success; outcomes being confounded by unnecessary atrial tissue ablation and inability to access and ablate all of the atrial GPs. Selective pulsed field ablation (PFA) of GPs, using epicardial access, provides the opportunity to better identify the role of GP ablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of selective GP ablation in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). It was hypothesized that GP ablation would provide an acute extension of atrial tissue refractoriness, which constitutes its antiarrhythmic effect.

Methods

Using a monopolar, monophasic PFA system, atrial GPs were ablated in nineteen patients with or without atrial fibrillation, undergoing CABG. The Oblique Sinus GP, Right Superior GP, Transverse Sinus GP, Left Superior GP and Ligament of Marshall GP were each ablated with up to sixty PFA pulses of 1000 V amplitude and 100 µs pulse width. Atrial Effective Refractory Period (AERP) was measured before and after all GP ablations, at the left atrial appendage (LAA) and on the right atrium (RA). Patients were monitored through to discharge for post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF).

Results

Complete ablation of the GPs was performed in nineteen patients (aged 63.4 ± 6.6 years, 63.1% male) immediately after sternotomy. Electric field pulses were ECG-gated, with energy delivery during the ventricular refractory period. All GP sites were successfully accessed and ablated; all patients progressed immediately to their planned elective surgery and were discharged on schedule. Procedure time, for all GP ablations and AERP measurements was in the range 35-45 minutes. Thirteen valid pre- and post-ablation datasets were obtained. AERP (LAA and RA combined) increased upon GP ablation on average by 23% (220 ± 46 ms pre-ablation versus 269 ± 59 ms post-ablation, p = 0.002). Four patients experienced POAF; there was no evident correlation between POAF and AERP data. Only three of the enrolled patients had a prior history of AF; none of these exhibited AF on 24-hour Holter monitoring at 3-month follow-up.

Conclusions

Selective epicardial PFA of GPs is feasible and safe. An acute increase in atrial tissue refractoriness is promising but further studies are required to see how this translates to longer term outcomes in symptomatic AF patients and in a percutaneous epicardial access setting.

Are medical procedures that induce coughing or involve respiratory suctioning associated with increased generation of aerosols and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection? A rapid systematic review

BACKGROUND

The risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from aerosols generated by medical procedures is a cause for concern.

AIM

To evaluate the evidence for aerosol production and transmission of respiratory infection associated with procedures that involve airway suctioning or induce coughing/sneezing.

METHODS

The review was informed by PRISMA guidelines. Searches were conducted in PubMed for studies published between January 1st, 2003 and October 6th, 2020. Included studies examined whether nasogastric tube insertion, lung function tests, nasendoscopy, dysphagia assessment, or suctioning for airway clearance result in aerosol generation or transmission of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, MERS, or influenza. Risk of bias assessment focused on robustness of measurement, control for confounding, and applicability to clinical practice.

FINDINGS

Eighteen primary studies and two systematic reviews were included. Three epidemiological studies found no association between nasogastric tube insertion and acquisition of respiratory infections. One simulation study found low/very low production of aerosols associated with pulmonary lung function tests. Seven simulation studies of endoscopic sinus surgery suggested significant increases in aerosols but findings were inconsistent; two clinical studies found airborne particles associated with the use of microdebriders/drills. Some simulation studies did not use robust measures to detect particles and are difficult to equate to clinical conditions.

CONCLUSION

There was an absence of evidence to suggest that the procedures included in the review were associated with an increased risk of transmission of respiratory infection. In order to better target precautions to mitigate risk, more research is required to determine the characteristics of medical procedures and patients that increase the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Impact of healthcare-associated infection on length of stay

BACKGROUND

Increased length of stay (LOS) for patients is an important measure of the burden of healthcare-associated infection (HAI).

AIM

To estimate the excess LOS attributable to HAI.

METHODS

This was a one-year prospective incidence study of HAI observed in one teaching hospital and one general hospital in NHS Scotland as part of the Evaluation of Cost of Nosocomial Infection (ECONI) study. All adult inpatients with an overnight stay were included. HAI was diagnosed using European Centres for Disease Prevention and Control definitions. A multi-state model was used to account for the time-varying nature of HAI and the competing risks of death and discharge.

FINDINGS

The excess LOS attributable to HAI was 7.8 days (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.7-9.9). Median LOS for HAI patients was 30 days and for non-HAI patients was 3 days. Using a simple comparison of duration of hospital stay for HAI cases and non-cases would overestimate the excess LOS by 3.5 times (27 days compared with 7.8 days). The greatest impact on LOS was due to pneumonia (16.3 days; 95% CI: 7.5-25.2), bloodstream infections (11.4 days; 5.8-17.0) and surgical site infection (SSI) (9.8 days; 4.5-15.0). It is estimated that 58,000 bed-days are occupied due to HAI annually.

CONCLUSION

A reduction of 10% in HAI incidence could make 5800 bed-days available. These could be used to treat 1706 elective patients in Scotland annually and help reduce the number of patients awaiting planned treatment. This study has important implications for investment decisions in infection prevention and control interventions locally, nationally, and internationally.

Bed-days and costs associated with the inpatient burden of healthcare-associated infection in the UK

BACKGROUND

Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality resulting in excess costs.

AIM

To investigate the impact of all types of HAI on the inpatient cost of HAI using different approaches.

METHODS

The incidence, types of HAI, and excess length of stay were estimated using data collected as part of the Evaluation of Cost of Nosocomial Infection (ECONI) study. Scottish NHS reference costs were used to estimate unit costs for bed-days. Variable (cash) costs associated with infection prevention and control (IPC) measures and treatment were calculated for each HAI type and overall. The inpatient cost of HAI is presented in terms of bed-days lost, bed-day costs, and cash costs.

FINDINGS

In Scotland 58,010 (95% confidence interval: 41,730-74,840) bed-days were estimated to be lost to HAI during 2018/19, costing £46.4 million (19m-129m). The total annual cost in the UK is estimated to be £774 million (328m-2,192m). Bloodstream infection and pneumonia were the most costly HAI types per case. Cash costs are a small proportion of the total cost of HAI, contributing 2.4% of total costs.

CONCLUSION

Reliable estimates of the cost burden of HAI management are important for assessing the cost-effectiveness of IPC programmes. This unique study presents robust economic data, demonstrating that HAI remains a burden to the UK NHS and bed-days capture the majority of inpatient costs. These findings can be used to inform the economic evaluation and decision analytic modelling of competing IPC programmes at local and national level.

Epidemiology of healthcare-associated infection reported from a hospital-wide incidence study: considerations for infection prevention and control planning

BACKGROUND

The measure of disease frequency most widely used to report healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is the point-prevalence survey. Incidence studies are rarely performed due to time and cost constraints; they show which patients are affected by HAI, when and where, and inform planning and design of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.

AIM

To determine the epidemiology of HAI within a general and a teaching hospital in Scotland.

METHODS

A prospective observational incidence study was undertaken for one year from April 2018 using data collected as part of the Evaluation of Cost of Nosocomial Infection (ECONI) study. A novel, robust approach was undertaken, using record linkage to national administrative data to provide full admission and discharge information. Cases were recorded if they met international HAI definitions.

FINDINGS

Incidence of HAI for the combined hospitals was 250 HAI cases per 100,000 acute occupied bed-days (AOBD). Highest frequency was in urinary tract (51.2 per 100,000 AOBD), bloodstream (44.7), and lower respiratory tract infection (42.2). The most frequently reported organisms were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and norovirus. Incidence of HAI was higher in older people and emergency cases. There was an increase in the rate of HAI in summer months (pneumonia, respiratory, surgical, and gastrointestinal infection) and in winter months norovirus gastrointestinal infection (P < 0.0001). The highest incidence specialties were intensive care, renal medicine, and cardiothoracic surgery. HAI occurred at a median of 9 days (interquartile range: 4-19) after admission. Incidence data were extrapolated to provide an annual national estimate of HAI in NHS Scotland of 7437 (95% confidence interval: 7021-7849) cases.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a unique overview of incidence of HAI and identifies the burden of HAI at the national level for the first time. Understanding the incidence in different clinical settings, at different times, will allow targeting of IPC measures to those patients who would benefit the most.

Personalized infection prevention and control: identifying patients at risk of healthcare-associated infection

BACKGROUND

Few healthcare-associated infection (HAI) studies focus on risk of HAI at the point of admission. Understanding this will enable planning and management of care with infection prevention at the heart of the patient journey from the point of admission.

AIM

To determine intrinsic characteristics of patients at hospital admission and extrinsic events, during the two years preceding admission, that increase risk of developing HAI.

METHODS

An incidence survey of adults within two hospitals in NHS Scotland was undertaken for one year in 2018/19 as part of the Evaluation of Cost of Nosocomial Infection (ECONI) study. The primary outcome measure was developing any HAI using recognized case definitions. The cohort was derived from routine hospital episode data and linkage to community dispensed prescribing data.

FINDINGS

The risk factors present on admission observed as being the most significant for the acquisition of HAI were: being treated in a teaching hospital, increasing age, comorbidities of cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic renal failure and diabetes; and emergency admission. Relative risk of developing HAI increased with intensive care unit, high-dependency unit, and surgical specialties, and surgery <30 days before admission and a total length of stay of >30 days in the two years to admission.

CONCLUSION

Targeting patients at risk of HAI from the point of admission maximizes the potential for prevention, especially when extrinsic risk factors are known and managed. This study proposes a new approach to infection prevention and control (IPC), identifying those patients at greatest risk of developing a particular type of HAI who might be potential candidates for personalized IPC interventions.

Factors associated with independent nurse prescribers' antibiotic prescribing practice: a mixed-methods study using the Reasoned Action Approach

BACKGROUND

The number of nurse prescribers is increasing, yet little evidence exists about their antibiotic prescribing behaviour.

AIM

To measure nurse independent prescribers' (NIPs) intention to manage patients, presenting with an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) for the first time, without prescribing an antibiotic and to examine the determinants of this behaviour.

METHODS

This was a mixed-method study using the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA). Content analysis of data from 27 telephone interviews with NIPs informed the development of a questionnaire which was tested for validity and reliability and used in a national survey of NIPs across Scotland. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was carried out to determine intention to manage patients without prescribing an antibiotic and the significant influences on this intention.

FINDINGS

From 184 participants it was found that NIPs intended to manage patients, presenting with a URTI for the first time, without prescribing an antibiotic. Key determinants were perceived norm, perceived behavioural control, and moral norm. Significant beliefs were positive social influence from other non-medical prescribers (P = 0.007) and nurse prescribers (P = 0.045), the enablers of prescriber experience and confidence (P ≤ 0.001), and the barrier of pressure from patients/carers (P = 0.010).

CONCLUSION

The findings provide reassurance that NIPs intend to prescribe appropriately. The identification of nurse-specific barriers and enablers to this intention should be acknowledged and targeted in future interventions to manage this behaviour.

Systematic review: the effect of right hemicolectomy for cancer on postoperative bowel function

BACKGROUND

Right-sided cancer accounts for approximately 30% of bowel cancer in women and 22% in men. Colonic resection can cause changes in bowel function which affect daily activity. The aims are to assess the impact of right hemicolectomy for cancer on bowel function and to identify useful treatment modalities for managing bowel dysfunction after right hemicolectomy.

METHOD

The review was conducted in line with PRISMA. Eligible studies evaluated the impact of right hemicolectomy on bowel function in those treated for colorectal neoplasia or assessed the effect of surgical technique or other intervention on bowel function after right hemicolectomy. Right hemicolectomy for inflammatory bowel disease or benign cases only were excluded. Articles were limited to studies on human subjects written in English published between January 2008 and December 2018.

RESULTS

The searches identified 7531 articles. Nine articles met the inclusion criteria, of which eight were cohort studies and one was a randomised trial. Loose stool, increased bowel frequency and/or nocturnal defaecation following right-sided colectomy occurs in approximately one in five patients. Some of these symptoms may improve spontaneously with time. Bile acid malabsorption and/or small bowel bacterial overgrowth may be the cause for chronic dysfunction. Some studies report that no or little difference in outcome between right-sided and rectal resections likely suggests poor function after right-sided resection.

CONCLUSION

Right hemicolectomy can result in changes to bowel function. Patients should be counselled preoperatively, and follow-up should be designed to identify and effectively treat significantly altered bowel function.

The economic benefits of surgical site infection prevention in adults: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infections (SSIs) present a significant burden to healthcare and patients in terms of excess length of stay, distress, disability and death. SSI risk and the associated economic burden may be reduced through adherence to prevention guidelines although the irreducible minimum is unclear.

AIM

To evaluate the methods used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of prevention strategies for all SSIs.

METHODS

PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, and UK National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database were searched from inception to January 2020 to identify English language economic evaluation studies, embedded economic evaluations, and studies with some analysis in relation to cost and benefit in adult patients receiving surgical care in any setting. Risk of bias was assessed using two published checklists.

FINDINGS

Thirty-two studies involving 24,043 participants were included. Most studies evaluated SSI prevention in orthopaedic surgeries. Antibiotic prophylaxis, screening, treating, or decolonization of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and surgical wound closure were the main methods evaluated. Methods ranged from cost-analyses to cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses. Synthesis of results was not possible due to heterogeneity. All studies reported some economic benefit associated with preventing SSI; however, measures of benefit were not reported consistently and the quality of studies was low to moderate. Limited evidence in relation to SSI impact on quality of life was identified.

CONCLUSION

Current evidence in relation to the economic benefits of SSI prevention is limited. Further robust studies that utilize sound economic and epidemiological methods are required to inform future investment decisions in SSI prevention.

Prevalence and incidence of surgical site infections in the European Union/European Economic Area: how do these measures relate?

BACKGROUND

In 2011-2012, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) initiated the first European point prevalence survey (PPS) of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) in addition to targeted surveillance of the incidence of specific types of HCAI such as surgical site infections (SSIs).

AIM

To investigate whether national and multi-country SSI incidence can be estimated from ECDC PPS data.

METHODS

In all, 159 hospitals were included from 15 countries that participated in both ECDC surveillance modules, aligning surgical procedures in the incidence surveillance to corresponding specialties from the PPS. National daily prevalence of SSIs was simulated from the incidence surveillance data, the Rhame and Sudderth (R&S) formula was used to estimate national and multi-country SSI incidence from the PPS data, and national incidence per specialty was predicted using a linear model including data from the PPS.

FINDINGS

The simulation of daily SSI prevalence from incidence surveillance of SSIs showed that prevalence fluctuated randomly depending on the day of measurement. The correlation between the national aggregated incidence estimated with R&S formula and observed SSI incidence was low (correlation coefficient = 0.24), but specialty-specific incidence results were more reliable, especially when the number of included patients was large (correlation coefficients ranging from 0.40 to 1.00). The linear prediction model including PPS data had low proportion of explained variance (0.40).

CONCLUSION

Due to a lack of accuracy, use of PPS data to estimate SSI incidence is recommended only in situations where incidence surveillance of SSIs is not performed, and where sufficiently large samples of PPS data are available.

Impact of participation in a surgical site infection surveillance network: results from a large international cohort study

BACKGROUND

Surveillance of surgical site infections (SSIs) is a core component of effective infection control practices, though its impact has not been quantified on a large scale.

AIM

To determine the time-trend of SSI rates in surveillance networks.

METHODS

SSI surveillance networks provided procedure-specific data on numbers of SSIs and operations, stratified by hospitals' year of participation in the surveillance, to capture length of participation as an exposure. Pooled and procedure-specific random-effects Poisson regression was performed to obtain yearly rate ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and including surveillance network as random intercept.

FINDINGS

Of 36 invited networks, 17 networks from 15 high-income countries across Asia, Australia and Europe participated in the study. Aggregated data on 17 surgical procedures (cardiovascular, digestive, gynaecological-obstetrical, neurosurgical, and orthopaedic) were collected, resulting in data concerning 5,831,737 operations and 113,166 SSIs. There was a significant decrease in overall SSI rates over surveillance time, resulting in a 35% reduction at the ninth (final) included year of surveillance (RR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.63-0.67). There were large variations across procedure-specific trends, but strong consistent decreases were observed for colorectal surgery, herniorrhaphy, caesarean section, hip prosthesis, and knee prosthesis.

CONCLUSION

In this large, international cohort study, pooled SSI rates were associated with a stable and sustainable decrease after joining an SSI surveillance network; a causal relationship is possible, although unproven. There was heterogeneity in procedure-specific trends. These findings support the pivotal role of surveillance in reducing infection rates and call for widespread implementation of hospital-based SSI surveillance in high-income countries.

Estimating excess length of stay due to healthcare-associated infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis of statistical methodology

BACKGROUND

Healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) affects millions of patients worldwide. HCAI is associated with increased healthcare costs, owing primarily to increased hospital length of stay (LOS) but calculating these costs is complicated due to time-dependent bias. Accurate estimation of excess LOS due to HCAI is essential to ensure that we invest in cost-effective infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.

AIM

To identify and review the main statistical methods that have been employed to estimate differential LOS between patients with, and without, HCAI; to highlight and discuss potential biases of all statistical approaches.

METHODS

A systematic review from 1997 to April 2017 was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, ProQuest and EconLit databases. Studies were quality-assessed using an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Methods were categorized as time-fixed or time-varying, with the former exhibiting time-dependent bias. Two examples of meta-analysis were used to illustrate how estimates of excess LOS differ between different studies.

FINDINGS

Ninety-two studies with estimates on excess LOS were identified. The majority of articles employed time-fixed methods (75%). Studies using time-varying methods are of higher quality according to NOS. Studies using time-fixed methods overestimate additional LOS attributable to HCAI. Undertaking meta-analysis is challenging due to a variety of study designs and reporting styles. Study differences are further magnified by heterogeneous populations, case definitions, causative organisms, and susceptibilities.

CONCLUSION

Methodologies have evolved over the last 20 years but there is still a significant body of evidence reliant upon time-fixed methods. Robust estimates are required to inform investment in cost-effective IPC interventions.

Barriers and enablers to meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus admission screening in hospitals: a mixed-methods study

BACKGROUND

To reduce the risk of transmission of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), international guidelines recommend admission screening to identify hospital patients at risk of colonization. However, routine monitoring indicates that optimum screening compliance levels are not always achieved. In order to enhance compliance, we must better understand those factors which influence staff screening behaviours.

AIM

To identify factors which influence staff compliance with hospital MRSA screening policies.

METHODS

A sequential two-stage mixed-methods design applied constructs from normalization process theory and the theoretical domains framework to guide data collection and analysis. Initial qualitative findings informed subsequent development of a national cross-sectional survey of nursing staff (N = 450). Multiple regression modelling identified which barriers and enablers best predict staff compliance.

FINDINGS

Three factors were significant in predicting optimum (>90%) compliance with MRSA screening: having MRSA screening routinized within the admission process; category of clinical area; feedback of MRSA screening compliance within the clinical area. Integration of data-sets indicated that organizational systems which 'make doing the right thing easy' influence compliance, as does local ward culture. Embedded values and beliefs regarding the relative (de)prioritization of MRSA screening are important.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide original evidence of barriers and enablers to MRSA screening, applying both sociological and psychological theory. As antimicrobial resistance is a global health concern, these findings have international relevance for screening programmes. Future policy recommendations or behaviour change interventions, based on the insights presented here, could have significant impact upon improving screening compliance.

Results from the third Scottish National Prevalence Survey: is a population health approach now needed to prevent healthcare-associated infections?

BACKGROUND

Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a major public health concern and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. A robust and current evidence base that is specific to local, national and Europe-wide settings is necessary to inform the development of strategies to reduce HCAI and contain antimicrobial resistance.

AIM

To measure the prevalence of HCAI and antimicrobial prescribing and identify key priority areas for interventions to reduce the burden of infection.

METHODS

A national rolling point-prevalence survey (PPS) in National Health Service (NHS) acute, NHS non-acute, NHS paediatric, and independent hospitals was carried out between September and November 2016 using the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control protocol designed for the European PPS.

FINDINGS

The prevalence of HCAI was 4.6%, 2.7%, and 3.2% in acute adults, paediatric and non-acute patient groups, respectively. The most frequent HCAI types reported in adult patients were urinary tract infection and pneumonia. The prevalence of antimicrobial prescribing was 35.7%, 29.3%, and 13.8% in acute adults, paediatric, and non-acute patient groups, respectively. Respiratory, skin and soft tissue, gastrointestinal, and urinary tract infections were the most common infections being treated at the time of survey.

CONCLUSION

HCAI continues to be a public health concern in Scotland. Urinary tract infection and pneumonia continue to place a significant burden on patients and on healthcare delivery, including those that develop in the community and require hospital admission. A broader population health approach which focuses on reducing the risk of infection upstream would reduce these infections in both community and hospital settings.

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine: Brussels, Belgium. 15-18 March 2016

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.].

Are you serious? From fist bumping to hand hygiene: Considering culture, context and complexity in infection prevention intervention research

Infection prevention is an under-resourced research and development topic, with limited evidence for practice in the most basic of measures. A survey of IPS R&D members indicated that what might appear to be simple interactions and interventions in healthcare, such as hand shaking and hand hygiene, should be considered complex interventions taking account of behaviour at the individual and social level as well as contextual factors. Future studies need to be designed utilising comprehensive approaches, for example, the Medical Research Council complex interventions framework, tailored to the country and more local cultural context, if we are to be serious about evidence for infection prevention and control practice.

A cross sectional study of surgical training among United Kingdom general practitioners with specialist interests in surgery

OBJECTIVES

Increasing numbers of minor surgical procedures are being performed in the community. In the UK, general practitioners (family medicine physicians) with a specialist interest (GPwSI) in surgery frequently undertake them. This shift has caused decreases in available cases for junior surgeons to gain and consolidate operative skills. This study evaluated GPwSI's case-load, procedural training and perceptions of offering formalised operative training experience to surgical trainees.

DESIGN

Prospective, questionnaire-based cross-sectional study.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

A novel, 13-item, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to members of the Association of Surgeons in Primary Care (ASPC). A total 113 of 120 ASPC members completed the questionnaire, representing a 94% response rate. Respondents were general practitioners practising or intending to practice surgery in the community.

RESULTS

Respondents performed a mean of 38 (range 5-150) surgical procedures per month in primary care. 37% (42/113) of respondents had previously been awarded Membership or Fellowship of a Surgical Royal College; 22% (25/113) had completed a surgical certificate or diploma or undertaken a course of less than 1 year duration. 41% (46/113) had no formal British surgical qualifications. All respondents believed that surgical training in primary care could be valuable for surgical trainees, and the majority (71/113, 63%) felt that both general practice and surgical trainees could benefit equally from such training.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant volume of surgical procedures being undertaken in the community by general practitioners, with the capacity and appetite for training of prospective surgeons in this setting, providing appropriate standards are achieved and maintained, commensurate with current standards in secondary care. Surgical experience and training of GPwSI's in surgery is highly varied, and does not yet benefit from the quality assurance secondary care surgical training in the UK undergoes. The Royal Colleges of Surgery and General Practice are well placed to invest in such infrastructure to provide long-term, high-quality service and training in the community.

Awareness of venous thromboembolism in mental health services for older people

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an important safety issue in the inpatient mental health care of older people. In a survey of specialist mental health staff, knowledge of deep vein thrombosis was good. More variable awareness of the presentation and risk factors for pulmonary embolism indicates the need for training integrated into regular physical health care updates. Currently, failure to adequately screen and prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) is estimated to cause between 25,000 and 32,000 potentially avoidable deaths annually in the United Kingdom. The authors aimed to assess the awareness of VTE in clinical staff working in Mental Health Services for Older People, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys National Health Service Foundation Trust. A questionnaire was devised to assess knowledge of VTE symptoms, risk factors, prevention, and treatment in clinical staff working in Mental Health Service for Older Peoples' inpatient units. Forty-nine nurses, 12 consultant psychiatrists, and 11 clinical pharmacists responded. A significant proportion of staff had previous involvement in VTE treatment. Staff had significantly more limited knowledge of pulmonary embolism compared to deep vein thrombosis with areas for improvement in presentation, risk factors, and prevention. The study confirms a need for improved awareness among all clinical staff including nurses, pharmacists, and doctors, which can be met by including VTE awareness in First Response training, and encouraging use of the Department of Health VTE e-learning tool.

Should healthcare workers be screened routinely for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus? A review of the evidence

Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is considered endemic in the UK National Health Service (NHS), and routine MRSA screening of hospital inpatients has recently been introduced in both Scotland and England. The UK National Screening Committee states that public pressure for widening the eligibility criteria of a proposed screening programme should be anticipated and any related decisions scientifically justifiable. A literature review was conducted to examine whether MRSA screening in Scotland should be expanded to include the routine screening of healthcare workers (HCWs). There are no published prevalence studies reporting the overall MRSA carriage rate in HCWs in NHS hospitals. Estimates of HCW carriage from the worldwide literature vary widely depending on the country, hospital specialty and setting (endemic, non-endemic or outbreak). Recent studies conducted in endemic hospital settings report non-outbreak carriage rates of 0-15%. The role of HCW carriage in the transmission of MRSA is not well understood. Persistent carriage could act as a reservoir for infection and HCWs have been implicated as the source in a number of published outbreak reports. There are no published controlled trials examining the impact of routine HCW screening as an intervention in the prevention and control of MRSA infections in the endemic hospital setting. Most of the evidence for HCW screening comes from outbreak reports where the outbreak was brought to an end following the introduction of staff screening as part of a suite of infection control measures. Further research is required before a recommendation could be made to introduce routine MRSA screening of HCWs in the NHS in Scotland.

Association of COPD candidate genes with computed tomography emphysema and airway phenotypes in severe COPD

The principal determining factors influencing the development of the airway disease and emphysema components of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have not been clearly defined. Genetic variability in COPD patients might influence the varying degrees of involvement of airway disease and emphysema. Therefore, we investigated the genetic association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in COPD candidate genes for association with emphysema severity and airway wall thickness phenotypes. Polymorphisms in six candidate genes were analysed in 379 subjects of the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) Genetics Ancillary Study with quantitative chest computed tomography (CT) data. Genetic association with per cent of lung area below -950 HU (LAA950), airway wall thickness, and derived square root wall area (SRWA) of 10-mm internal perimeter airways were investigated. Three SNPs in EPHX1, five SNPs in SERPINE2 and one SNP in GSTP1 were significantly associated with LAA950. Five SNPs in TGFB1, two SNPs in EPHX1, one SNP in SERPINE2 and two SNPs in ADRB2 were associated with airway wall phenotypes in NETT. In conclusion, several COPD candidate genes showed evidence for association with airway wall thickness and emphysema severity using CT in a severe COPD population. Further investigation will be required to replicate these genetic associations for emphysema and airway wall phenotypes.