Implementing Surviving Sepsis guidelines in a district general hospital

We describe efforts made at Blackpool Victoria Hospital to implement the well-established international Surviving Sepsis guidelines. These included posters, pocket guides and stickers inserted in patient notes. All doctors and nurses in acute areas received specific information and education. Sepsis teams comprising both doctors and nurses were formed to encourage implementation and to audit and disseminate data. Data collection occurred from February to November 2009. Cases were considered prospectively at the time of initial

CME: Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a chronic debilitating condition. Pathologically, a vicious cycle of infection and inflammation exists in the permanently damaged airways with patients suffering a persistent cough, chronic daily sputum production and recurrent chest infections. Once termed an ‘orphan disease’, the prevalence of bronchiectasis has become increasingly recognised over the past few decades. The associated burden of disease in terms of respiratory morbidity, effect on patients’ healthrelated quality of life and the economic cost of long term management is significant

Interpretation of the full blood count in systemic disease – a guide for the physician

The full blood count (FBC) is perhaps the single most common investigation performed in medical patients. It has the potential, when interpreted carefully and in relation to the clinical history, to provide very useful information to assist in diagnosis and management. Clinicians are often alerted to the presence of a primary haematological disorder by abnormalities in the FBC. For the purpose of this review these diseases will not be discussed in detail but the reader will be alerted to pointers which might indicate primary blood disorders throughout the text.

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a chronic debilitating condition. Pathologically, a vicious cycle of infection and inflammation exists in the permanently damaged airways with patients suffering a persistent cough, chronic daily sputum production and recurrent chest infections. Once termed an ‘orphan disease’, the prevalence of bronchiectasis has become increasingly recognised over the past few decades.

Implementing Surviving Sepsis guidelines in a district general hospital

We describe efforts made at Blackpool Victoria Hospital to implement the well-established international Surviving Sepsis guidelines. These included posters, pocket guides and stickers inserted in patient notes. All doctors and nurses in acute areas received specific information and education. Sepsis teams comprising both doctors and nurses were formed to encourage implementation and to audit and disseminate data. Data collection occurred from February to November 2009.