Journal of perioperative practice
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In 2003 the Scottish Health Service Central Legal Office was consulted on the requirement to supply an alternative to natural rubber latex gloves for healthcare professionals within NHS Lothian University Hospitals Trust. Counsel stated that as latex is now accepted as being hazardous to health, employers must prove the statutory defence in Regulation 7(1) of the Control ofSubstances Hazardous to Health Regulations (HSE 2002). Counsel also stated that, as there are now adequate alternatives to latex gloves, NHS employers would have an indefensible position if no attempt was made to supply alternatives.
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Surgical procedures undertaken at the wrong site represent a potentially devastating event for everyone involved. Wrong site surgery is defined as surgery performed at the incorrect anatomical site--either the wrong side (left leg instead of right) or the incorrect anatomical location or level (incorrect finger on the correct hand). The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) and the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) last year issued a joint alert (NPSA 2005a) to promote correct site surgery. This aims to clarify the steps required and ensure that the intended and correct surgical procedure is performed on the correct patient at the correct site.
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Innovative ideas will be required to meet government targets for the health service in the future. Increasing the number of hours available to surgical teams from two to three sessions could be one solution. Efficient and effective utilisation of a huge capital resource would appear to be further justification for increased hours, although the Audit Commission suggests that improving existing utilisation rather than extending hours should be the priority. However if operating sessions could be increased from two to three there is a potential to reduce waiting lists.