Surg J R Coll Surg E
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Surg J R Coll Surg E · Dec 2011
Does using the WHO surgical checklist improve compliance to venous thromboembolism prophylaxis guidelines?
Using the World Health Organisation (WHO) surgical checklist has been shown to improve the safety of patients undergoing surgery. Its effect on the compliance to venous thromboembolism (VTE) guidelines has not been established before. Our objective was to assess if using the WHO checklist improved compliance to VTE prophylaxis guidelines. ⋯ Establishment of the WHO checklist for routine use in all general surgery patients may significantly improve VTE guideline compliance of all general surgery patients.
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Surg J R Coll Surg E · Dec 2011
Letter Case ReportsRed flag symptoms and signs for diagnosing perilunate dislocation.
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Surg J R Coll Surg E · Dec 2011
Femoral neck fractures in patients on Clopidogrel. The effect of delaying surgery and the introduction of the new SIGN guidelines.
Femoral neck fractures are an increasingly common injury in the elderly. Frequently these patients present taking Clopidogrel, an irreversible inhibitor of platelet aggregation. Although this is associated with an increased risk of intra-operative bleeding and also an increased risk of spinal haematoma where regional anaesthesia is employed, the recent SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidance Network) guidelines recommend that surgery should not be delayed. ⋯ Patients receiving Clopidogrel have complex medical co-morbidities and a higher anaesthetic risk. Delaying operative management might be contributing to the increased rate of mortality and morbidity. In accordance with the SIGN guidelines we recommend early operative intervention in these high risk patients.