A local safety standard for invasive procedures for out-patient endonasal procedures performed under local anaesthetic: a template from Newcastle upon Tyne hospitals.

BACKGROUND: In November 2017, a working feasibility analysis commenced of a local anaesthetic endonasal procedures out-patient clinic service at Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne. Fundamental to introducing an innovative ambulatory out-patient practice is the development of a novel local safety standard for invasive procedures to support this service. OBJECTIVE: This paper presents the new safety standard developed for this purpose and implemented in our institution. CONCLUSION: Increasingly, there is a shift toward ambulatory services, directed by patient choice, technological advances and the opportunity for cost savings. It is hoped that this local safety standard for invasive procedures will provide a useful template for those considering implementing ambulatory endonasal services, or other novel procedures, within the specialty of ENT.

Hypnosis in family medicine.

Hypnosis can be a useful adjunct to other treatment modalities. For example, hypnosis may induce a level of relaxation that allows patients to cooperate more easily with conventional treatment. The often dramatic historical background of hypnosis has led to misconceptions about hypnotic technique and its clinical applications in modern medicine. Hypnosis is useful in the treatment of acute and chronic pain, somatoform and habit disorders, anxiety and depression. Persons who are attempting to stop smoking, patients with bulimia and those with psychogenic impotence may respond to hypnosis.