Journal of perioperative practice
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Research from the United States which explores events related to the surgical count has identified that there are opportunities to review our practice in order to reduce risks to surgical patients. The Safe Surgery Saves Lives Campaign highlights this aspect of perioperative patient safety, ensuring that poor processes and poor communication, often the reasons for retained surgical items, become part of the team 'sign-out' at the end of every operation.
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Historical Article
Mary Seacole: self taught nurse and heroine of the Crimean War.
Mary Jane Seacole was born Mary Grant in Kingston Jamaica in 1805. Her father was a Scottish army officer and her mother a free Jamaican black, (slavery was not fully abolished in Jamaica until 1838). ⋯ Her skill as a nurse was much appreciated, as many of her residents were disabled British soldiers and sailors. It was from her mother that Mary learned the art of patient care, and she also assisted at the local British army hospital.
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Acute compartment syndrome is a life and limb threatening condition. Clinical assessment is the diagnostic cornerstone of compartment syndrome but pressure monitoring also has a role in equivocal cases, in unconscious or uncooperative patients, and in patients with nerve blocks and other forms of regional and epidural anesthesia. A high degree of suspicion and early decompression of all compartments at risk are important for a satisfactory outcome.