Driving Patient Safety Improvements

Patients who suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee experience excessive wearing of the meniscus and articular cartilage. This is measured in grades from I-IV, from soft cartilage to cartilage worn down to the bone. This cartilage provides shock absorption and allows the bones to slide over each other. This damage…

Intestinal obstruction occurs when food and stool are not able to move freely along the gut. There are many possible reasons for intestinal obstruction including hernias, tumours, abdominal adhesions, volvulus (intestine twists around itself) and foreign objects.

Intestinal obstruction is a common problem with a high mortality rate unless treated…

Fibroids are benign tumours or growths of the uterus (myomas or leiomyomas) which are very common in women of reproductive age and tend to reduce in size after the menopause. They usually do not require treatment unless they cause symptoms. Symptoms of fibroids include prolonged heavy periods, abdominal distention, lower…

An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes. Unfortunately, the pregnancy cannot be saved and can cause significant health risks to the mother. Where not detected promptly, this can lead to severe harm,…

A cholecystectomy is a relatively common surgery to remove the gallbladder often as a treatment for symptomatic gallstones. Left untreated, these gallstones can block the flow of bile and can cause problems such as acute cholecystitis or acute pancreatitis. Like with any operation, a cholecystectomy does have risks, in particular,…

Sepsis can lead to a range of complications. Most critically, it is commonly fatal, particularly if the diagnosis is delayed, or in patients with other significant health problems. Early recognition and interventions as above will give patients the best chance of survival.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is now the preferred term for what used to be called “acute renal failure”. It is defined by an acute change in kidney function determined either by changes in the serum creatinine or reduction in the urine output into the oliguria range.

It is imperative that if hyponatraemia is suspected or diagnosed that clinicians provide appropriate care by arranging appropriate investigations, arranging a referral to an appropriate specialist such as an endocrinologist and/or admitting the patient to hospital for treatment.

Caudal epidural injections run the risks of infection, bleeding, nerve injury and intraspinal injection. These risks are higher when patients are on antiplatelet agents and Rivaroxaban, and such should be considered with the patient during the consenting process.