Journal of Perioperative Practice

As with the prescribing of medicines, the provision of surgery continues to evolve and this is particularly true in the delivery of foot surgery which, until the 1960s, in the United Kingdom was practiced exclusively by medically qualified surgeons. Over the last 40 years however podiatric surgery performed by podiatrists has become established as a viable, safe and cost effective alternative to traditional models of service provision.

To measure the efficacy of the Glucose-Insulin Infusion–Parkland Protocol (GIPPr) compared to subcutaneous (SC) insulin, blood glucose readings were reviewed in diabetic adults admitted for surgical intervention of a soft tissue or bone infection in Dallas, Texas. Hypoglycaemia occurred in 0.69% of readings in GIPPr-treated patients compared to 4.52% in SC-treated patients. The GIPPr maintained a higher proportion of blood glucose readings between 3.89-10mmol/L compared to SC insulin (85.40% versus 50.68%).

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a programme that aims to improve the care of elective surgical patients. Accelerated care pathways are delivered using a multidisciplinary approach, leading to reduced lengths of hospital stay, improved quality of treatment, and better outcomes. These programmes have gained considerable popularity in orthopaedics recently, however their widespread adoption remains to be seen. This article highlights the key evidence concerning ERAS in orthopaedic surgery.

This article discusses issues surrounding online social networking, and the implications of the use of these sites by healthcare professionals. The article provides guidance to healthcare professionals, as the increased use of sites like Facebook and Twitter have the potential to bring risks to healthcare. Use of these websites can be a very grey area, and boundaries need to be clearly set to ensure protection of service users and healthcare staff alike.