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Auditing health and safety management systems: a regulator's view.

HSE's publication 'Successful Health and Safety Management' (HSG65) describes key elements of successful health and safety management systems. A three level model is explained and one of the elements, auditing, is explored in detail by the regulator. The term auditing in the health and safety context is defined and the use of proprietary and in-house systems compared. The process of auditing is described and the regulator concludes by encouraging organizations to use auditing schemes, without endorsing any particular one, as they can be a powerful tool for checking the adequacy of health and safety management systems.

Management Audit↗

Audit of the management of genital herpes simplex infection.

We evaluated the management of genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection at our clinic. Over six months, 135 patients with primary HSV and 97 patients with recurrent HSV attended. Sixty percent of patients presenting within five days of primary infection were treated with oral acyclovir. Only 53% of patients with primary HSV were given written/verbal information. Follow-up appointments were attended by 78%. Seventy-seven percent of patients with recurrent HSV had at least one viral isolate typed and 72% of patients experiencing episodes exceeding, annually, six were offered suppressive therapy. Our results demonstrate successful management of patients with HSV infections but recommendations are made to reach the standards set by BASSH. Furthermore, we illustrate that improved documentation would go a long way in validating the result.

Acyclovir↗

Retrospective audit of caries management techniques for children under general anesthesia over an 18-year period.

The aim of this study was to review the outcomes of dental treatment under general anesthesia and to analyze the different types of caries management techniques for children in different age groups and time periods. Seven hundred inpatient general anesthetics were administered for 656 children between 1982 and 1999 were included in the analysis. This study concluded that the treatment modality of the caries management techniques varied according to the different age groups. Furthermore, the nature of the treatment changed the relative proportion of restorative procedures increased during the period under investigation.

Age Factors↗

Audit of conservative management of chronic low back pain in a secondary care setting--part I: facet joint and sacroiliac joint interventions.

The work of a chronic back pain service in secondary care in the West Midlands is reported. The service offers acupuncture, spinal injection procedures, osteopathy and a range of other interventions for patients whose back pain has not responded to conservative management. This section of the report focuses on injection procedures for lumbar facet joint and sacroiliac joint pain, which have been shown to be the cause of chronic low back pain in 16-40% and 13-19% of patients respectively. Diagnosis relies on the use of intra-articular or sensory nerve block injections with local anaesthetic. Possible treatments following diagnosis include intra-articular corticosteroid, radiofrequency denervation (for facet joint pain) or ligament prolotherapy injections (for sacroiliac joint pain). The results of several hospital audits are reported. At six month follow up, 50% of 38 patients undergoing radiofrequency denervation following diagnostic blocks for facet joint pain had improved by more than 50%, compared to 29% of 34 patients treated with intra-articular corticosteroid injection. Sixty three per cent of 19 patients undergoing prolotherapy following diagnostic block injection for sacroiliac joint pain had improved at six months, compared to 33% of 33 who had intra-articular corticosteroid. Both radiofrequency denervation and sacroiliac prolotherapy showed good long-term outcomes at one year.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

An audit of the management of acute asthma in accident and emergency.

It is estimated that 3.4 million people suffer from asthma in the UK, with 640,000 having the condition in a severe or very severe form (Action on Smoking and Health, 2002). Asthma also accounts for 1,250 deaths annually (De Keyser, 2002). Between 1980 and 1990 the prevalence of asthma in males increased by 114 per cent and in females by 165 per cent (Respiratory Alliance, 2003).

Adolescent↗

Audit on hypertension management in general practice.

The case records of an urban teaching practice in Britain were studied to assess the performance of the practice in the detection and management of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension among adults was 9%. The original diagnosis of hypertension was made by the patients' own general practitioner in two-thirds of patients. Evidence of adequate monitoring of treatment and follow-up by general practitioners was seen in only one-third of patients with hypertension. The effect of these findings on the subsequent performance of the practice is discussed.

Adolescent↗

Cardioversion of atrial arrhythmias: audit of anticoagulation management.

Patients undergoing cardioversion for chronic atrial fibrillation should receive anticoagulation for three weeks before and four weeks after the procedure. Patients with atrial flutter and acute atrial fibrillation are also at risk of thromboembolic complications, so they too should be anticoagulated for cardioversion. Of the 36 acutely admitted patients who were cardioverted, 18 were in atrial fibrillation and 18 in atrial flutter. All except three of those in fibrillation were anticoagulated with heparin before cardioversion, but only seven received warfarin after cardioversion. Of those in flutter, 10 received heparin and eight received no anticoagulation before cardioversion. One patient underwent transoesophageal echocardiography before cardioversion to exclude atrial thrombi. Only two patients received warfarin for a month after cardioversion. Of the 20 elective cardioversions, 10 were in atrial fibrillation and 10 in atrial flutter. Five of those in fibrillation had received at least three weeks' treatment with warfarin before cardioversion and two underwent transoesophageal echocardiography; the other three received either up to two hours of heparin or no anticoagulation before cardioversion. Only five patients received warfarin for a month after cardioversion. Nine of those in flutter received a few hours of heparin before cardioversion and one was not anticoagulated; none underwent transoesophageal echocardiography or received warfarin after cardioversion. The results of this audit demonstrate that anticoagulation for atrial arrhythmias was inconsistent and often inadequate. A formal anticoagulation policy for cardioversion has now been adopted.

Anticoagulants↗

Urinary catheterization in care homes for older people: self-reported questionnaire audit of catheter management by care home staff.

A self-administered questionnaire was used to determine care home staff's reported knowledge of the urinary catheter care standards published by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the Association of Continence Care, and to see whether this differed in homes with higher catheterization rates. Seven hundred and fifty out of 1438 (52%) nursing and care staff from 37 randomly selected care homes with high, medium and low catheterization rates responded. There was no difference in reported practice in care homes in the three health districts sampled or those with differing catheterization rates. Eighty-three percent of the nursing staff and 40% of the other care staff received formal catheter care training. However, at least 10% of all staff reported not washing their hands before handling a catheter, and delaying emptying a urine bag until it was full, rather than three-quarters full. Only 45% of nursing staff and 40% of other care staff encouraged residents to empty their own catheter bags. Routine use of catheter maintenance solutions or bladder washouts was reported by 50% of all staff. Nursing staff (29%) and other care staff (54%) took urine specimens from the catheter bag tap. Compliance with standards has improved greatly since an audit in 1998. However, some non-compliance remains. There is a need for ongoing local audit and formal training in urinary catheter care, particularly for non-qualified care staff. Education is needed to ensure local implementation of NICE guidance.

Aged↗

Audit of the management of victims of sexual assault in a city centre genitourinary medicine clinic.

A total of 113 individuals (101 women, 12 men) who had experienced sexual assault (SA) attended the genitourinary medicine clinic. Of the 60 patients who were seen at a dedicated clinic for victims of SA, the median age was lower, a greater number had reported to the police and the interval between assault and attendance was shorter, compared with the 53 who attended the routine walk-in service. However, the majority of the men attended routine clinics. Drug-facilitated rape was reported in 20%, excess alcohol in 10% and the use of violence in 20% cases. Overall, the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections was the same as the total clinic population.

Adolescent↗

Audit in the management of T3 fixed-cord laryngeal cancer.

PURPOSE: To determine results of various treatments for T3 fixed-cord lesions and the subset T3 glottic cancer in Auckland from 1979 to 1995. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively from a departmental database, and the notes were reviewed. Because of the difficulty in determining the subsite of some fixed-cord lesions, the entire group of T3 fixed-cord lesions was examined, and those tumors that were considered to be definitely arising from the glottis were then analyzed as a specific subset. RESULTS: Fixed-cord lesions were diagnosed in 75 patients (21 supraglottic, 54 glottic). Primary surgery (total laryngectomy) was performed on 46 patients, primary radical dose radiotherapy was undertaken on 25 patients, and four patients were treated palliatively. For T3 fixed-cord lesions, disease-specific survival for radiotherapy and surgery was 36% and 66%, respectively, and 32% and 67%, respectively, for T3 glottic lesions. For both T3 fixed-cord and T3 glottic lesions, surgery produced significantly better survival than did radiotherapy (<60 Gy; P = .0157). With radiotherapy greater than 60 Gy, cancer of the larynx has been controlled in seven of 13 patients, although only five patients are alive, with a median follow-up of 24 months (range, 12-49 months). CONCLUSION: Radiotherapy less than 60 Gy produced markedly inferior results to surgery for T3 fixed-cord lesions and T3 glottis in Auckland. Radiotherapy at more than 60 Gy shows promise, but an ongoing audit is essential to ensure that survival is similar to surgery and to that reported by those promoting organ-preservation protocols.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Crohn's disease involving the colon: an audit of clinical management.

This paper describes the clinical management of 204 patients with Crohn's disease involving the colon who have been reviewed regularly for many years. The results have been analyzed to define the morbidity, mortality, and long term prognosis of the disorder. Despite a high morbidity, the long term prognosis is good. Although the mean interval since the onset of symptoms is more than 13 years, 77% of the patients are symptom-free and 60% have normal laboratory indices. This analysis suggests that until the etiology of Crohn's disease is established and a specific therapy is developed, good results can be obtained with regular medical review and appropriate surgical treatment with the limited use of immunosuppressive agents or total parenteral nutrition.

Adolescent↗

Bleeding peptic ulcer: an audit of conservative management.

One hundred and twenty-six of 157 consecutive patients (80%) admitted for a bleeding peptic ulcer were treated conservatively and retrospectively analysed. There were 52% duodenal, 41% gastric and 7% combined ulcers. The initial shock index (pulse/systolic blood pressure) was in excess of one in 10%. For 22% of the patients no transfusion was required but 10% had more than 6 units of blood during their hospital stay. Forty-nine per cent were on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and 83% had at least one coexisting systemic disease. Six patients (5%) had a further haemorrhage, four of whom died. A total of 10 patients (8%) died. Five of them were related to the peptic ulcer disease but also had terminal or multiple systemic diseases precluding any surgery. Their poor short-term prognosis shows how difficult it will be to effectively reduce the mortality in this particular group of conservatively treated patients, even with the recent advent of endoscopic haemostasis, and stresses the importance of carefully identifying high risk patients in trials mounted to improve on the current mortality figures.

Adult↗

An audit of the management of the acute scrotum in children with Henoch-Schonlein Purpura.

Many children with Henoch-Schonlein anaphylactoid purpura syndrome (HSAPS) who develop an acute scrotum have scrotal explorations to exclude torsion of the spermatic cord. However, the cause of the acute scrotum in the context of HSAPS is known to be vasculitis and not torsion. The aim of this study, therefore, was to identify factors that underlie this practice. In a 10-year retrospective study of male patients admitted to a Children's Hospital with a diagnosis of HSAPS, 22 out of the 93 children identified (22/93 = 24%) had scrotal involvement. Three children (3/22 = 14%) were investigated radiologically, eight children (8/22 = 36%) had surgical exploration and none had testicular torsion. We believe that greater awareness of the syndrome and its clinical presentation amongst paediatric surgical staff could allow the adoption of a conservative approach in children with an unequivocal diagnosis of HSAPS provided such an approach is supported by high resolution colour Doppler sonography and a fully informed parental consent. Surgical exploration is indicated if the diagnosis of the syndrome is not beyond doubt and torsion cannot be excluded on clinical grounds.

Adolescent↗

Medical audit and formulary management: a policy for rational use of thrombolytic drugs.

In this article we report on the development, introduction, and maintenance of a policy to promote rational use of thrombolytic drugs by hospital doctors. The work was undertaken within the framework of the voluntarily operated Riverside East drugs guide (formulary) management system (FMS). The policy was introduced in October 1988 and revised in November 1989 to coincide with the launch of the new, expensive thrombolytic drugs, alteplase (rt-PA, Actilyse) in 1988 and antistreplase (APSAC, Eminase) in 1989. Streptokinase was recommended as the first-line drug for patients who had not received it within the last 6 months. The policy was communicated to all staff in meetings and a drugs guide bulletin and reinforced by ward pharmacists. Results over a 15 month period show voluntary compliance by prescribers with the recommended policy. One hundred and seventy-four patients (22% cardiac admissions) presented with acute myocardial infarction. Of these 43 (25%) received streptokinase, the first-line recommended drug, 7 received alteplase and none received anistreplase. The savings in drug expenditure from using streptokinase rather than alteplase or anistreplase for the 15-month period of investigation were over pounds 27,000. This work represents an example of the effectiveness of the Riverside East FMS model in influencing prescribing behaviour.

Anistreplase↗

An audit of surgical management of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST).

AIM: To analyze GIST outcome after primary resection and to determine if a new grading system could adequately predict there prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective review (1993-2002) identified 80 patients who underwent primary surgical resection for, c-KIT positive, GIST. Follow-up was complete for all patients (median follow-up 42, range 1-132, months). GIST were classified as low or high grade according to the following parameters: size, mitotic rate, mitotic index (MiB1), presence of necrosis, invasion of adjacent structure and presence of metastasis. RESULTS: GIST originated from the stomach (46), small bowel (30), colon and rectum two and mesentery two. At surgery, 94% of cases presented with localized disease and 6% blood born metastasis with or without lymph node invasion. Resections were complete (R0) in 72 cases. R0 resection correlated with prognosis (p<0.01). Sixty GIST were classified as low grade (median follow-up 60 months) and 20 as high grade (median follow-up 27 months). Five-year actuarial survival of patients with low or high grade GIST were of 95 and 21%, respectively, (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Prognosis of GIST after surgical treatment is influenced by completeness of primary resection and tumour malignant potential. Low grade GIST have an excellent prognosis after surgery alone, while high grade GIST have a high rate of recurrence after primary resection. Adjuvant treatment should be advocated for patient with either high grade GIST or after incomplete primary resection. The presented grading system can reliably predict GIST outcome after primary surgical treatment. Complete surgical resection offers good chance of cure for low grade GIST, while for high grade GIST surgery alone is not sufficient. The presented grading system could be used to identify patients who may benefit of adjuvant treatment with imatinib mesylate after GIST resection.

Adult↗

National audit of the management and outcome of carcinoma of the cervix treated with radiotherapy in 1993.

The aim of the study was to investigate the UK prevalence of late, severe side-effects associated with radical radiotherapy for cancer of the cervix and try to identify associated factors. All patients treated for cancer of the cervix with radical radiotherapy in 1993 were identified and retrospective case notes studied to determine mortality and severe complications occurring following treatment. Of the 55 radiotherapy departments in the UK that were treating gynaecological malignancy in 1993, 53 participated in the study. There were 1558 patients with carcinoma of the cervix receiving radical radiotherapy as part of their treatment regimen in 1993, whose patterns of treatment were assessed. The main outcome measures were the development of late severe complications as defined by the Franco-Italian Glossary and mortality. Of the patients receiving surgery and radiotherapy, 58.5% underwent Wertheim's procedure. The crude rate of late severe complications in all patients with cervical cancer treated with radical radiotherapy in 1993 was 6.1% (actuarial rate 8%) at 5 years, and only four of the 91 patients who developed complications died as a result of their morbidity. There was no significant correlation of stage, centre size, surgery or radiotherapeutic approach with late morbidity in univariate analysis. The overall survival at 5 years was 47% and was lower than that of the European data from FIGO's 1990-92 cohort, for all stages. Increasing FIGO stage was the only factor significantly associated with mortality. The absence of variables that were significantly associated with late complications may well be related to the relatively low event rate compared to the sample size. Differences in surgical treatment prior to radiotherapy and radiation technique may be confounding the comparison of outcomes. The relatively poor survival for locally advanced disease and the difficulty with which these data were collated indicates that national prospective data collection is urgently required to monitor performance and hence derive best practice.

Adult↗