• A case of acute aortic dissection presenting with neurological symptoms

  Mohamed Azhar, Mohamed Sheeraz; Rajesh, Mariya (2023)

  Aortic dissection (AD) is a life-threatening condition that presents with diverse and atypical symptoms, making it challenging to diagnose. We present a case of a woman in her 40s who presented to the emergency department with collapse, right-sided weakness, agitation, and confusion. Despite efforts, she went into cardiac arrest and died before a definitive diagnosis was made. The post-mortem examination revealed hemopericardium due to dissection of the ascending thoracic aorta as the cause of death. This case highlights the difficulty in diagnosing AD and the need for a high index of suspicion, especially in patients presenting with neurological symptoms and risk factors.
• Surgical training in the United Kingdom's National Health Service: the challenges for International Medical Graduates

  Gerges, Farid; Mithany, Reda H.; Sidhom, Mark; Gerogiannis, Ioannis N. (2023-09)

  Background: The UK's National Health Service (NHS) is a hub that trainees from all over the world want to join. However, there are many challenges for International Medical Graduates (IMGs). The aim of this study is to raise awareness of these challenges and to attempt to identify areas for improvement in the surgical training experience for international graduates wishing to join the NHS and obtain a National Training Number (NTN). Methods: A 33-question survey was designed and distributed to the surgical community via The Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery Society (TUGSS) and social media. Eighty-five respondents, IMGs from 25 countries, participated. Results: The results showed that 43.5% of doctors had a Master's degree (MSc). Most IMGs joined as locally employed doctors at the senior house officer or registrar level. They all faced many challenges in the UK, including difficulties finding a job in the NHS, obtaining an NTN, and adapting to the differences between UK surgical practice and their home country. More than 50% of doctors did not have a named educational/clinical supervisor, and 63.2% of them felt that the supervisor helped them to become more familiar with the system. The support doctors received from the human resources department of the hospital they joined was poor. In addition, more than half of the IMGs changed their career plans after joining the NHS (56.4%) and would like to stay in the UK (52.9%). The majority of them (43.9%) plan to obtain an NTN. Conclusions: This study showed that there is a need to support international doctors who wish to start or continue their training in the UK. Furthermore, IMGs should expect to face several challenges when applying to work in the UK NHS.
• Epidemiology and diagnosis of Post-Thrombotic Syndrome: qualitative synthesis with a systematic review

  Mangwani, Jitendra; Roberts, Veronica; Shannak, Odei; Divall, Pip; Srinivasan, Ananth; Dias, Joseph (2023)

  Background: Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a common and debilitating sequela of lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT). There is significant heterogeneity in reported PTS incidence due to lack of standardised diagnostic criteria. This review aimed to develop diagnostic criteria for PTS and subsequently refine the reported incidence and severity. Methods: PRISMA principles were followed; however, the review was not registered. The Cochrane CENTRAL database, MEDLINE, Embase, the NHS NICE Healthcare Databases Advanced Search interface, and trial registers including isrctn.com and clinicaltrials.gov were searched for studies addressing areas of interest (PTS definition, epidemiology, assessment). An experienced Clinical Librarian undertook the systematic searches, and two independent reviewers agreed on the relevance of the papers. Conflicts were resolved through panel review. Evidence quality was assessed using a modified Coleman scoring system and weighted according to their relevance to the aforementioned areas of interest. Results: A total of 339 abstracts were retrieved. A total of 33 full-text papers were included in this review. Following qualitative analysis, four criteria were proposed to define PTS: (1) a proven thrombotic event on radiological assessment; (2) a minimum 24-month follow-up period after an index DVT; (3) assessment with a validated score; and (4) evidence of progression of venous insufficiency from baseline. Four papers conformed to our PTS definition criteria, and the incidence of mild to moderate PTS ranged from 7 to 36%. On reviewing the studies which utilised the recommended Villalta scale, PTS incidence narrowed further to 23–36%. Incidence and severity reached a plateau at 24 months. Conclusions: Four diagnostic criteria were developed from qualitative synthesis. When these criteria were applied to the literature, the range of reported PTS incidence narrowed. These four criteria may standardise PTS diagnosis in future studies, facilitating the pooling of data for meta-analysis and synthesis of higher levels of evidence.
• A solitary Fibrofolliculoma in close proximity to the Medial Canthus

  Sonsale, Reshma; Hamarneh, Wael; McMullan, Tristan (2023-11)

  Fibrofolliculomas are benign connective tissue tumours of the hair follicle that typically present as multiple lesions over the head and neck. A solitary fibrofolliculoma is a rare entity and has not been previously described in the canthal region. The authors report an unusual case of a 43-year-old female who was found to have a solitary fibrofolliculoma located in close proximity to the medial canthus following an excision biopsy. Whilst rare, fibrofolliculomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an eyelid lesion.
• SHOT UK Collaborative Reviewing and Reforming IT Processes in Transfusion (SCRIPT) survey: Laboratory information management systems: are we ready for digital transformation?

  Davies, Jennifer; Tuckley, Victoria; McGrann, Alistair; Rowley, Megan; Clarke, Heather; Baker, Peter; Narayan, Shruthi (2023-12)

  Objectives To understand the use, functionality and interoperability of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) in UK transfusion laboratories. Background LIMS are widely used to support safe transfusion practice. LIMS have the potential to reduce the risk of laboratory error using algorithms, flags and alerts that support compliance with best practice guidelines and regulatory standards. Reporting to Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT), the United Kingdom (UK) haemovigilance scheme, has identified cases where the LIMS could have prevented errors but did not. Shared care of patients across different organisations and the development of pathology networks has raised challenges relating to interoperability of IT systems both within, and between, organisations. Methods and Materials A survey was distributed to all SHOT-reporting organisations to understand the current state of LIMS in the UK, prevalence of expertise in transfusion IT, and barriers to progress. Survey questions covered LIMS interoperability with other IT systems used in the healthcare setting. Results A variety of LIMS and version numbers are in use in transfusion laboratories, LIMS are not always updated due to resource constraints. Respondents identified interoperability and improved functionality as the main requirements for transfusion safety. Conclusion A nationally agreed set of minimum standards for transfusion LIMS is required for safe practice. Adequate resources, training and expertise should be provided to support the effective use and timely updates of LIMS. A single LIMS solution should be in place for transfusion laboratories working within a network and interoperability with other systems should be explored to further improve practice.

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