Clinical medicine (London, England)
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This case illustrates a rare cause of facial pain due to glossopharyngeal neuralgia in a 66-year-old male patient. Imaging confirmed an aneurysm of the cervical internal carotid artery as the cause; the aneurysm itself, likely secondary to an elongated styloid process (Eagle's syndrome). The imaging findings and management options are discussed below.
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Multidisciplinary meetings (MDMs) are central to clinical decision-making in many areas of cardiology. This study assessed current provision and structure of cardiology MDMs in England in comparison with national guidelines. British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) members were surveyed regarding frequency, core attendees, and organisational aspects of cardiology MDMs for myocardial revascularisation, endocarditis, heart failure, aortic valve, mitral and tricuspid valve MDMs, whether local, regional or outside of the region. ⋯ Aortic valve MDMs were available in 69% of centres, while mitral and tricuspid valve MDMs were available in 56% of centres. One quarter of centres reported no access to EP, and one third of centres reported no access to ICC or ACHD MDMs. Substantial improvements in provision and structure of cardiology MDMs in England are needed in order to meet national guidance.
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Hospital at Home (HaH) provides hospital-level care within patients' homes. With services expanding, a London HaH service embedded new junior doctor posts. Currently, gaps exist in the under- and postgraduate curriculum to develop clinical skills required to deliver care in this context. ⋯ Confidence improved, particularly in managing end of life, decision-making around hospital admission and administering intravenous medications/fluids. High-fidelity scenarios, practical skills and prescribing stations were most highly rated. As HaH services expand, HaH-SIM is a feasible, effective and transferable way of improving early-career doctors' confidence and skills to provide care in patients' homes.
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Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) is a multi-system disease associated with a 20-25% mortality in the UK setting. Many patients with SAB are admitted acutely unwell and are treated by the general physician. This review summarises the key management steps that a general physician needs to be aware of when treating patients with SAB. Successful management relies on appropriate empirical and definitive antimicrobial therapy, effective source control, accurate risk stratification and timely identification of metastatic foci of infection, as well as exclusion of infective endocarditis, which can be present in up to 10% of patients with SAB.