Accounting for specialist items in neurosurgery.

This short article explores the issues surrounding the use of certain specialist items used during some neurosurgical procedures. It discusses the results of a benchmarking exercise that sought to investigate how these items are accounted for since there appear to be no nationally agreed guidelines for perioperative practice. The returns from the exercise suggest that, while practice for patties seems to be consistent, there is variation between neurosurgical centres in the use of other items. It is hoped that this work may stimulate discourse and that guidance can be produced to assist perioperative practitioners and enhance safe practice for patients.

Preoperative fasting revisited.

Fasting patients prior to their surgical procedures is accepted practice. Although the latest research shows that it is safe for most patients to drink clear fluids 2-3 hours before a general anaesthetic many key staff are not aware of these findings. This article discusses preoperative fasting and describes an audit which culminated in a change in practice in a large district general hospital.