Implementation of the SCARE guideline resulted in a 10% improvement in the reporting quality of surgical case reports published in a single journal. Adherence to SCARE reporting guidelines by authors, reviewers and editors should be improved to boost reporting quality. Journals should develop their policies, submission processes and guide for authors to incorporate the guideline.

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Implementation of the PROCESS guideline resulted in a 5% improvement in the reporting quality of surgical case series published in three journals. Further research is needed to identify and successfully navigate existing barriers to greater compliance. Authors, reviewers and editors should adhere to the guidelines to boost reporting quality. Journals should develop their policies and guide for authors to incorporate the guideline and mandate compliance.

Introduction: Coronary artery bypass grafting forms the bulk of a cardiac surgeon′s workload. An extensive amount of research has been undertaken to improve the outcomes of this procedure. This literature review aimed to summarize key areas that influence coronary artery bypass grafting in modern day practice. Methods: A comprehensive electronic search was done using PubMed, Ovid, SCOPUS, Embase and google scholar from inception to July 2020. Articles were included if they discussed factors affecting outcomes in coronary bypass grafting (CABG). Case reports, expert opinion, and editorials were excluded. Results: There are many factors that influence and predict outcomes following coronary artery bypass surgery. Age, diabetes, and isolated systolic hypertension were preoperative factors with strong correlation to mortality and morbidity rates post CABG. In addition to these, the degree of renal failure and heart failure correlated with poorer operative results. The use of the left internal mammary artery has transformed outcomes and has proven advantage over venous conduit use. Newer minimal invasive techniques have the potential to further optimize outcomes. Conclusion: The numerous and complex factors which impair outcomes following CABG need to be further researched and addressed using larger trials and possible optimization of multidisciplinary team approach to further improve long term outcomes.

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Background: Cutimed® Sorbact® is a dressing marketed as having antimicrobial properties and easy application without the threat of antibiotic resistance and difficult accessibility. There is little evidence on the clinical outcomes of the use of Cutimed® Sorbact® in adults and currently no evidence of use of Cutimed® Sorbact® on superficial-partial thickness burn injuries in children. Objective: To summarise the clinical outcome of burn wounds in children with superficial-partial thickness burns in which Cutimed® Sorbact® was used. Method: An observational case series was conducted in Edendale Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa over the course of four weeks. Patients where included if they were aged < 10 years and had a ⩽ 15% superficial-partial burn. The primary outcome measure was time to 95% re-epithelialisation. Secondary outcome measures included wound complications, adverse healing and number of dressing changes. Results: Ten patients (five girls, five boys; age range = 11 months–8 years) were included in this case series. All participants had a type VI Fitzpatrick skin type and 80% of burns were hot water burns. Of all patients treated with Cutimed® Sorbact®, 50% healed within seven days, 70% within 14 days and 100% within 21 days. There was only one wound complication noted in this study and there was no adverse healing in any burn wounds. The mean number of dressing changes was 1.4 (range = 1–2) and length of hospital stay was in the range of 0–11 days (mean = 5.1 days). Conclusion: Cutimed® Sorbact® is a safe, useful and cost-effective dressing that should be used as an alternative for superficial-partial burns in children.

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Understanding perspectives on whistleblowing is important in tackling a resistance to speaking out. This study aimed to elicit the views of medical students and doctors in Edendale Hospital, South Africa using a mixed-methods questionnaire study incorporating free text and tick-box answers. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistics were used to interpret the results. Fifty-eight doctors and medical students responded (87% response rate); the majority were surgeons at Edendale hospital. Seventeen percent did not understand the concept of whistleblowing, while 42% felt unable to report an adverse event. Motivation for reporting adverse events was overwhelmingly in the interests of patient safety (91%), but reluctance was mainly due to the potential consequences on workplace relationships (24%). The most common innovation suggested was a reporting structure (54%). These observations indicate workplace relationships are an important barrier to whistleblowing. Further research should expand on these concerns and explore staff knowledge about whistleblowing.