British journal of anaesthesia
-
Needlestick injury is relatively common amongst healthcare workers, particularly those, such as anaesthetists, who regularly perform invasive procedures. The risk of seroconversion following needlestick injury may be reduced by knowledge of body fluids that are high risk and knowledge of post-exposure prophylaxis following possible HIV-contaminated needlestick injury. A structured questionnaire was used to establish knowledge regarding high HIV risk body fluids and measures to be taken following needlestick injury in anaesthetists working in a large teaching hospital. ⋯ This study reveals a surprisingly poor knowledge of high-risk body fluids and action to be taken following needlestick injury. Timely post-exposure prophylaxis, after needlestick exposure to high-risk body fluids, is believed to reduce the risk of seroconversion to HIV. Ignorance of this may increase the risk of seroconversion to HIV for anaesthetists and other healthcare professionals.
-
Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is valuable for perioperative monitoring in patients at risk from haemodynamic disturbance. However, its use is not practicable in patients undergoing surgical procedures under regional anaesthesia. We describe two cases showing that transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) has the same advantages as TOE and thus may be valuable for monitoring awake patients. TTE should be considered when extended perioperative haemodynamic monitoring is needed but TOE is not possible.
-
Letter Case Reports
Acute dystonia in a 14-yr-old following propofol and fentanyl anaesthesia.