Improving physical health monitoring and interventions in a learning disabilities forensic psychiatric secure service.

BACKGROUND: Patients in psychiatric inpatient settings are at increased risk of developing physical health complications due to the structure of inpatient wards, the metabolic side-effects of antipsychotic medications and socioeconomic factors. Robust physical health monitoring and interventions are paramount in reducing this health inequality. OBJECTIVE: To improve the quality of physical health interventions in the ward environment and empower patients to follow healthy lifestyle guidance to reduce their risk of metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Patient weight and waist circumference data were collected at baseline and weekly throughout the 8-week intervention period. A questionnaire was recorded from baseline to week-5 to assess patient understanding. Two Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles were completed: (1) Series of weekly psychoeducation sessions and group exercise and (2) Implementation of healthy living diaries. RESULTS: Our data did not demonstrate any definitive impact upon the waist circumference and weight of participants. However, analysis of the questionnaires showed a consistent trend in knowledge improvement. CONCLUSION: Whilst our aim of reducing patient weight and waist circumference was not realised, there was a significant impact on participant's knowledge, demonstrating a subjective benefit of our interventions. Our project also highlighted inconsistencies in physical health measurements and data collection, providing vital information for further quality improvement measures.

Composite grafts for fingertip amputations: A systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: There is much debate in the hand surgery literature as to the management of fingertip amputations. Much research continues to be published in this area. Methods of reattachment include microsurgical and non-microsurgical (composite graft) replantation. The role of composite grafts lacks clarity in terms of outcomes, success rates and complications. Hence there is a need for an evidence synthesis, which can guide patient selection, the consent process and determine graft survival rates and functional outcomes to optimise patient outcomes. METHODS: Search of the databases OVID MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, The Cochrane Library and clinical trial registries from inception using terms "fingertip" "digital tip" "digit" "finger" "thumb" "amputation" "replantation" "reattachment" "reimplantation" and "composite graft" as key terms with "AND" selected as a Boolean operator, limited to humans will be conducted by two independent researchers. The patient population will include adults and children. Studies will be included if they report: (1) primary data; (2) outcomes of 'composite grafts' or 'nonmicrosurgical replantations'; (3) graft survival, (4) 5 or more cases. Articles will be excluded if surgical techniques involve: (1) composite graft pocketing, or (2) microsurgical replantation or (3) additional flaps (pulp or local). Full exclusion and inclusion criteria are described within this protocol. Data extraction will include; demographic details, patient comorbidities, amputation nature and level, functional, and aesthetic outcomes, complications and need for secondary procedures. All data extracted will be cross-checked, and discrepancies resolved through consensus. DISSEMINATION: This review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and will be presented at national and international conferences to inform the practice of other clinicians.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of antibiotic prophylaxis in skin graft surgery: A protocol.

INTRODUCTION: There is little evidence-based guidance on the use of prophylactic antibiotics in skin surgery; whilst antibiotics may protect against surgical site infections (SSI), they have associated side effects, increase the risk of adverse events, and can propagate antibiotic resistance. We present a protocol for a systematic review to establish whether the benefit of prophylactic antibiotics overrides the risk, for patients undergoing autograft surgery. METHODS: The systematic review will be registered a priori on researchregistry.com and will be conducted in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). A search strategy will be devised to investigate 'skin graft surgery and use of antibiotics'. The following electronic databases will be searched, 1979-2018: PubMed, MEDLINE®, EMBASE, SCOPUS, CINAHL, PsychINFO, SciELO, The Cochrane Library, including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effect (DARE), the Cochrane Methodology Register, Health Technology Assessment Database, the NHS Economic Evaluation Databases and Cochrane Groups, ClinicalTrials.gov, Current Controlled Trials Database, the World Health Organisation (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, UpToDate.com, NHS Evidence and the York Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. Grey literature will be searched. All comparative study designs reporting on the use of antibiotics in skin graft surgery will be considered for inclusion, namely randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two trained independent teams will screen all titles and abstracts, followed by relevant full texts, for eligibility. Data will be extracted under standardized extraction fields into a preformatted database. Note will be made of the indication for skin graft surgery (traumatic, congenital, malignant, benign), the graft site (head & neck, trunk, upper extremities, lower extremities), type of skin graft (split thickness, full-thickness). The primary outcome will be occurrence of SSI at the donor and/or recipient sites. Secondary outcomes, if reported, will include: length of hospital stay, revision surgery required, cost of medical care, time to wound healing and cosmetic outcome. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at national and international meetings within fields of plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery. The work will be disseminated electronically and in print. Brief reports of the review and findings will be disseminated to interested parties through email and direct communication. The review aims to guide healthcare practice and policy.