Nil by mouth should be ‘last resort’
“Nil by mouth” should be the last resort, rather than the first option, is the central message of a report published by the Royal College of Physicians and the British Society of Gastroenterology. Oral feeding difficulties and dilemmas: A guide to practical care, particularly towards the end of life has been prepared in response to continuing unease about the lack of consensus on when artificial nutrition and hydration is appropriate.
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Mandatory VTE prevention will reduce deaths
The All-Party Parliamentary Thrombosis Group (APPTG) has welcomed the Department of Health’s (DH) decision to mandate venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention in the Operating Framework for the NHS in 2010/11. The All Party Group has been campaigning for its inclusion as a key step in reducing up to 25,000 annual avoidable deaths and saving the NHS over half a billion pounds a year.
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Improving understanding of infection prevention
An annual conference, “Healthcare-associated Infections” is taking place on 11 March at Church House, Westminster – providing an update on the next steps to further reduce infection, including those related to the use of devices such as catheters, central lines, surgical site infections and pneumonias.
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West Midlands holds key to meeting future healthcare challenges
The West Midlands is the beating heart of the country’s vibrant medical technology industry, according to Strength and Opportunity, a recent report funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, UK Trade and Investment, and the Department of Health.
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Boost for breast cancer charity
Full Support Healthcare has partnered with Breast Cancer Care to launch a new range of surgical gowns and warm-up jackets branded “Think Pink”. Proceeds from the sale of the products will be donated to Breast Cancer Care and it is hoped that the initiative will raise thousands of pounds for the charity.
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‘Human Factors’ week launched
As part of its campaign to help Trusts eliminate avoidable death and harm to patients, Patient Safety First is launching a “Human factors” focus week on the 1 February 2010. “Human factors” can include environmental, organisational or job factors, or the individual characteristics that influence behaviour at work.
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