Brit J Hosp Med
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The forearm is the most common site of fracture in children. At the time of initial assessment, a thorough examination and neurovascular assessment of the limb is necessary. X-rays allow evaluation of the fracture location and type, in addition to the degree of displacement. ⋯ Manipulation and casting should be followed by orthogonal radiographs and a repeated neurovascular assessment of the limb. Oral analgesia and safety netting information should be provided on discharge and the child should be reviewed in fracture clinic within a week of the injury. This article reviews the British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma and Orthopaedics for the early management of paediatric forearm fractures that do not require operative management.
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Environmental dry surface biofilms are a new type of biofilm found on dry surfaces, that are not visible to the human eye. Dry surface biofilms harbour multidrug-resistant organisms, are resistant to cleaning and disinfection and cannot be detected by wet or dry swabbing, so may play an important role in the persistence of pathogens in the healthcare environment.
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Metabolic acidosis is a common complication among acutely unwell hospitalised patients. Untreated, it can result in undesirable cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological consequences. ⋯ A systematic approach can help simplify the assessment of patients and can aid in establishing the correct diagnosis, even in more complex cases. This article provides a practical, step-by-step guide for the assessment of adult patients with metabolic acidosis.