Instruments of Concern: Decontamination and sterilisation of surgical instruments.
The Scottish Executive Health Department has set up a group to review the various issues relating to adequate decontamination and sterilisation of the tools we use day and daily. It is staggering to appreciate the enormous potential risk which may result from inadequately decontaminated instruments. Without doubt, our colleagues in otolaryngology have tackled this issue already. It seems very likely that more advice and possibly more regulation is on the horizon.
MRSA
Whilst on the subject of risk and hospital acquired infection you might find the following resources useful for good up-to-date information on another familiar pathogen, MRSA.
The UK Health Protection Agency has good background information on MRSA in the 'Topics A-Z' section of its website:
As you would expect the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website is an excellent source - (look under 'A-Z Index').
Good specialty training sites
Last month I promised to provide links for the other surgical specialties which have not already been mentioned in one of these missives. For many of the sub specialties there are excellent links on the ASIT specialties page.
Plasta the plastic surgical trainees association
More image resources.
If you need material to illustrate a presentation on a teaching session the Karolinska Institute have assembled an incredible array of valuable links.
Strongly recommended for medical images - a sample of the images and diagrams can be seen on the left but there is also a diverse array of photographs, flash animations and movies for download.
Equally good for the full range of teaching resources.
Finally - is MTAS terminally unwell? Even MMC is under threat judging by the popular press. More on this in May. Take care.
Best wishes
David Galloway |
