Objectives The continuous supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the National Health Service (NHS) is paramount to reduce transmission of COVID-19 to patients, public, and staff. Methods A 16-question survey was created to assess the availability and personal thoughts of healthcare professionals regarding PPE supply in England. The survey was distributed via social media (Facebook© and Twitter©) to UK COVID-19 healthcare professional groups, with responses collected over 3 weeks in March 2020 during the beginning of the pandemic. Results A total of 121 responses from physicians in 35 different hospitals were collected (105 inpatient wards, 16 from intensive care units). In inpatient wards, eye and face protection were unavailable to 19% (20/105). Fluid-resistant surgical masks were available to 97% (102/105) whereas filtering facepiece class 3 (FFP3) respirator for 53% (56/105) of respondents. Gloves were accessible for all respondents (100%). Body protection was available primarily as a plastic apron 84% (88/105). All of respondents working in intensive care had access to full-body PPE, except FFP3 respirators (available in 88%, 14/16). PPE is ‘Always’ available for 30% (36/121) of all respondents. There was a statistically significant difference between London and non-London respondents that ‘Always’ had PPE available (44 versus 19%, P = 0.003). Conclusions Our survey demonstrated an overall lack of PPE volume supply in the UK hospitals during March 2020, demonstrating a lack of preparedness for a pandemic. PPE was more readily available in London which was the epicentre of the outbreak. Eye and full body protection are in most lack of supply.
First described by Polish Neurologist Łucja Frey in 1923, Frey’s syndrome (FS), or auriculotemporal syndrome, is a rare condition characterised by gustatory sweating, typically encountered as sequelae following invasive head and neck surgery. The pathophysiology of FS can be described by aberrant reinnervation of postganglionic parasympathetic neurons to the surrounding denervated sweat glands and cutaneous blood vessels. Multiple invasive procedures have been associated with FS ranging from salivary gland surgery to burn reconstruction and thoracoscopic sympathectomies. Rarely, FS can be secondary to trauma or non-surgical aetiologies, including diabetes and infection. Physical symptoms vary based on the severity and surface area affected by FS and range from mild symptoms to severe psychosocial morbidity for patients. Surgeons operating in the head and neck, including otolaryngologists, maxillofacial surgeons, and plastic surgeons, should be aware of this potential complication and be up to date with diagnosis and treatment strategies for FS. This review article summarises the literature relating to FS focusing on its aetiologies, symptomatology, prevention, and available treatments, aiming to provide an up-to-date review of this condition for surgeons operating in the head and neck region. Although various treatment options have been suggested, these are often limited to topical agents that require life-long administration for symptom control. Further research is recommended to identify the optimal treatment for this condition and the role of surgery as a treatment for severe or refractory cases.
Hypothesis:The primary goal of this study was to examine how accuracy is affected when we employ a guidance device to assist with the execution of the Epley canalolith repositioning procedure. Background: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a common cause of vestibular vertigo. Treatment is noninvasive and generally effective when performed correctly. Deficiencies in clinical application result in unnecessary failures in response for those affected. Methods: Ten participants were each taken through six iterations of the Epley canalolith repositioning procedure. Iterations were divided evenly between those conducted with and without the use of a guidance device. One clinician performed all 60 procedures. Head movements were recorded using motion capture cameras and strategically placed motion tracking markers.Results: Results showed that the guidance device significantly improved the latter phase maneuver accuracy. Rotation error was significantly reduced for hold3 with-device ( M ¼ 20.2 38 , S D ¼ 12.08 8 ) versus without-device (M ¼ 40.138, SD ¼ 14.628, p ¼ 0.001). Maximal rotation error during rotation4 of the maneuver demonstrated a similar reduction of error with-device (M ¼ 24.448, SD ¼ 10.438) versus without-device (M ¼ 41.368, SD ¼ 12.898, p ¼ 0.002). Conclusion: A simple visual guidance device can increase the execution accuracy of canalith repositioning procedures. Further research is required to show how such improvements influence treatment efficacy.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.