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Wound ballistics
84
Wry.
12. 84-85
Printedin Great Britain
Abstracts Bacteriology
and
Antibacterial
clothing
infection
Plastic aprons and gauntlets gave better protection and less dissemination of organisms than gowns that were permeable to bacteria (especially when wet) and closely fitting overalls. Isolators were not well tolerated by patients. Ransjo t-J. (1979) Ventilator, isolators or skin suits? Burns 6,80.
infection
in hospitals
The author traces the changing pattern of infectionthe changes taking place in the infecting organisms and the part played by attempted prophylaxis with antibiotics, and the changes brought about by increasing readiness to introduce tubes into various parts of the body and to leave them there for long periods. The known methods of preventing infection that do not require the use of antibiotics are too often ignored and there is too little use of officers appointed to control infection-and their colleagues’ attitudes to and awareness of it. Meers P. D. (1979) Infection in hospitals. Br. J. Hosp. Med. 22,272.
Organization prevention
topics
and accident
Major disasters
These three papers cover in useful outline the three principal considerations for hospital medical (and associated) staff that have to organize services in the face of disaster, but there is no mention of the further difficulties that arise if large scale civil violence results in hospitals becoming, as it were, besieged. Williams D. J. (1979) Disaster planning in hospitals. Br. J. Hosp. Med. 22, 308. Yates D. W. (1979) Surgical triage. Br. J. Hosp. Med. 22, 323. Evans R. F. (1979) The patient with multiple injuries. Br. J. Hosp. Med. 22,329. The improving image of A and E The Brirish Medical Journn/ has published
a series of articles on accident and emergency services, written by
special correspondents. Much progress has been made since the Platt Report of 1962 but there are still too few beds allocated specifically for trauma, the flow of ‘minor cases’ has not been reduced, experienced supporting staff is still inadequate, as also are the majority of recording systems, and speedy psychiatric support is often not available. The creation of consultant posts in A and E from 1972 has improved the status, the career structure and the demand for these positions by health authorities, Undergraduate teaching of the specialty needs to be strengthened and enthusiasms fired. Centralization and enlarging of departments is still required and pressures to keep open unnecessary casualty departments should be resisted. Nevertheless, most areas would benefit from improved local arrangements for dealing with emergencies, by general practitioners and in other ways-by immediate care schemes where necessary. Above all, the public and the profession should understand more clearly what accident and emergency departments are for. Leading Article (1979) Improving the image of A and E. Br. Med. J. 2, I3 14.
Wound ballistics
This is a report on the Third International Symposium on Wound Ballistics, held in Goteborg in December 1978. The early papers given in this symposium focus attention on the ballistics and mechanical effects of high velocity missiles on the tissues. There is then a short practical summary of the surgical treatment of high velocity gunshot wounds by Ben Eisemann. The last six papers deal with the general effects of trauma (not exclusively gunshot wounds) on the function of the lymphocytes, granulocytes and reticuloendothelial system. The editorial underlines the fact that ‘postoperative complications such as aggressive infections, sepsis and metabolic disturbances, are still the most important limiting factors for the survival of the injured patient’. Third International Symposium on Wound Ballistics, Goteborg 1978 (1979) .4cta C’hir. Stand. Suppl. 489. Design of A and E departments
Although
designs have improved,
the newness of a
Wry.
12. 84-85
Printedin Great Britain
Abstracts Bacteriology
and
Antibacterial
clothing
infection
Plastic aprons and gauntlets gave better protection and less dissemination of organisms than gowns that were permeable to bacteria (especially when wet) and closely fitting overalls. Isolators were not well tolerated by patients. Ransjo t-J. (1979) Ventilator, isolators or skin suits? Burns 6,80.
infection
in hospitals
The author traces the changing pattern of infectionthe changes taking place in the infecting organisms and the part played by attempted prophylaxis with antibiotics, and the changes brought about by increasing readiness to introduce tubes into various parts of the body and to leave them there for long periods. The known methods of preventing infection that do not require the use of antibiotics are too often ignored and there is too little use of officers appointed to control infection-and their colleagues’ attitudes to and awareness of it. Meers P. D. (1979) Infection in hospitals. Br. J. Hosp. Med. 22,272.
Organization prevention
topics
and accident
Major disasters
These three papers cover in useful outline the three principal considerations for hospital medical (and associated) staff that have to organize services in the face of disaster, but there is no mention of the further difficulties that arise if large scale civil violence results in hospitals becoming, as it were, besieged. Williams D. J. (1979) Disaster planning in hospitals. Br. J. Hosp. Med. 22, 308. Yates D. W. (1979) Surgical triage. Br. J. Hosp. Med. 22, 323. Evans R. F. (1979) The patient with multiple injuries. Br. J. Hosp. Med. 22,329. The improving image of A and E The Brirish Medical Journn/ has published
a series of articles on accident and emergency services, written by
special correspondents. Much progress has been made since the Platt Report of 1962 but there are still too few beds allocated specifically for trauma, the flow of ‘minor cases’ has not been reduced, experienced supporting staff is still inadequate, as also are the majority of recording systems, and speedy psychiatric support is often not available. The creation of consultant posts in A and E from 1972 has improved the status, the career structure and the demand for these positions by health authorities, Undergraduate teaching of the specialty needs to be strengthened and enthusiasms fired. Centralization and enlarging of departments is still required and pressures to keep open unnecessary casualty departments should be resisted. Nevertheless, most areas would benefit from improved local arrangements for dealing with emergencies, by general practitioners and in other ways-by immediate care schemes where necessary. Above all, the public and the profession should understand more clearly what accident and emergency departments are for. Leading Article (1979) Improving the image of A and E. Br. Med. J. 2, I3 14.
Wound ballistics
This is a report on the Third International Symposium on Wound Ballistics, held in Goteborg in December 1978. The early papers given in this symposium focus attention on the ballistics and mechanical effects of high velocity missiles on the tissues. There is then a short practical summary of the surgical treatment of high velocity gunshot wounds by Ben Eisemann. The last six papers deal with the general effects of trauma (not exclusively gunshot wounds) on the function of the lymphocytes, granulocytes and reticuloendothelial system. The editorial underlines the fact that ‘postoperative complications such as aggressive infections, sepsis and metabolic disturbances, are still the most important limiting factors for the survival of the injured patient’. Third International Symposium on Wound Ballistics, Goteborg 1978 (1979) .4cta C’hir. Stand. Suppl. 489. Design of A and E departments
Although
designs have improved,
the newness of a