A single-centre retrospective case series of Anakinra for incident calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease.

In this 2-year retrospective case series, we characterise the calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) inpatient cohort at a single centre and assess the efficacy and safety of anakinra in its treatment. Adult inpatients with CPPD between 1st September 2020 and 30th September 2022 were identified by ICD-10 codes and confirmed based on clinical diagnosis and either CPP crystals on aspirate or chondrocalcinosis on imaging. Charts were reviewed for demographic, clinical, biochemical data, treatment choice, and response. Response to treatment was determined from chart documentation and calculated from time of first CPPD treatment. Daily responses to anakinra were recorded if anakinra was used. Seventy patients accounting for 79 cases of CPPD were identified. Twelve cases received anakinra, whilst 67 cases received conventional therapy only. Patient receiving anakinra were predominantly male, had multiple comorbidities, and had higher CRPs and serum creatinine when compared to the non-anakinra group. Anakinra was rapidly effective with the mean time to substantial and complete response being 1.7 and 3.6 days respectively. Anakinra was well tolerated. This study adds to the small amount of retrospective data present about the use of anakinra in CPPD. We observed a rapid response to anakinra in our cohort with minimal adverse drug reactions. Key Points • Treatment of CPPD with anakinra appears to be rapidly efficacious without safety concerns.

Within-unit bed moves in a short-stay in-patient unit are associated with increased falls.

Objective This study evaluated a patient's likelihood of a fall using information available at the time of presentation to a short-stay acute medical unit (AMU) with a high patient turnover rate and estimated the effect of within-unit bed moves on the occurrence of in-patient falls. Methods This study was a 3-year retrospective cross-sectional study of 28713 consecutive admissions comparing patients who fell and patients who did not fall. Factors assessed included premorbid falls risk factors, presenting issues and within-unit bed moves. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with patients who fell. Each admission was treated as a unit of measure. Results Of 28713 admissions, 182 (0.6%) involved at least one fall event. The fall rate was 5.67 falls per 1000 occupied bed days. Premorbid cognitive impairment (odds ratio (OR) 4.88), a presenting issue of confusion (OR 2.92) and a fall immediately before admission (OR 2.49) were associated with patients who fell (all P<0.001). Each bed move corresponded to a 27% increase in the odds of a fall (OR 1.27; P=0.027). Conclusion Premorbid cognitive impairment was the strongest risk factor for an in-patient fall on the unit. Within-unit bed moves significantly increased the risk of an in-patient fall and should be minimised. What is known about the topic? In-patient falls can cause significant patient harm at cost to the health system. There is limited research examining the association between within-unit bed moves and falls in a short-stay AMU. What does this paper add? Care in the short-stay AMU is complex and the number of bed moves is a modifiable factor that can reduce a patient's risk of an in-patient fall. What are the implications for practitioners? Bed moves need to be minimised, especially for patients with cognitive impairment. If bed moves are inevitable, operational plans can be designed to mitigate the increased risk caused by these moves.

Teaching medical students ultrasound-guided vascular access - which learning method is best?

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound is recommended to guide insertion of peripheral intravenous vascular cannulae (PIVC) where difficulty is experienced. Ultrasound machines are now common-place and junior doctors are often expected to be able to use them. The educational standards for this skill are highly varied, ranging from no education, to self-guided internet-based education, to formal, face-to-face traditional education. In an attempt to decide which educational technique our institution should introduce, a small pilot trial comparing educational techniques was designed. METHODS: Thirty medical students were enrolled and allocated to one of three groups. PIVC placing ability was then observed, tested and graded on vascular access phantoms. RESULTS: The formal, face-to-face traditional education was rated best by the students, and had the highest success rate in PIVC placement, the improvement statistically significant compared to no education (p = 0.01) and trending towards significance when compared to self-directed internet-based education (p<0.06). CONCLUSIONS: The group receiving traditional face-to-face teaching on ultrasound-guided vascular access, performed significantly better than those not receiving education. As the number of ultrasound machines in clinical areas increases, it is important that education programs to support their safe and appropriate use are developed.