Brit J Hosp Med
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Major harm from unrecognised oesophageal intubation continues, despite the 2018 Royal College of Anaesthetists' 'no trace, wrong place' campaign. It is likely that publicly reported cases represent a fraction of real occurrences. This article summarises a 2022 consensus guideline on the prevention of unrecognised oesophageal intubation from the Project for Universal Management of Airway and international airway societies. ⋯ This will mean some tracheal placed tubes are removed but based on a risk-benefit analysis, this is desirable. The tube should only be left in place if there is clear danger in removing it and in this event, its position should be confirmed, using repeat videolaryngoscopy plus one other of bronchoscopy, skilled ultrasound or use of an oesophageal detector device. The importance of human factors is underlined; for instance, the value of a shared and vocalised report of videolaryngoscopy view and trained assistants working with the operator to confirm whether the criteria for sustained exhaled carbon dioxide are met, to minimise error and improve team working.
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This article describes work on emergency care for older people. It summarises patient experience in emergency care settings, the evidence base relating to improvement of outcomes and emerging interventions and describes tools that can support teams as they work on service improvement. Finally, it calls for the measurement of outcomes that matter to older people, as a mechanism to drive more person-centred approaches to emergency care.
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Those identifying as transgender make up a significant and growing number of individuals. They face discrimination in healthcare and have been known to have adverse physical and mental health outcomes because of stigma. A study was carried out to ascertain how doctors perceive and interact with their transgender patients. ⋯ These findings add to the growing data regarding the perceptions about transgender patients in healthcare settings.
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Research has shown that there is a lack of confidence and understanding in how to use exercise for managing cystic fibrosis. This editorial discusses the key points of a consensus statement that highlights what is and is not known about the relationship between cystic fibrosis and exercise.
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The junior doctors' strike has meant that consultants and other senior colleagues went back to the wards to support them and to treat patients. Anisur Rahman reflects on his first day back on the wards and considers the implications of the strike and why it must be resolved quickly and fairly.