Keeping our insured up to date with emerging clinical risks and our product news.

When a child presents with signs of continued lethargy with periods of vomiting and fever, even if the latter two cease, the patient should be referred for further testing and observations in line with the above, to rule out serious diagnoses such as myocarditis and Kawasaki Disease (also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome – mainly affecting children under 5). Lethargy in children should be seen as an emergency and the patient should not be discharged without the cause of this being fully investigated.

THEMIS’ Lead Clinical Partner, TMLEP, would like to highlight the importance of flagging abnormal X-ray findings and promptly informing the patient of any change in their diagnosis so that prompt referral can be made, and the patient can adjust their behaviour accordingly to minimize any further damage.

Packing wounds is integral to the patients healing and should be thoroughly monitored throughout the aftercare period, adhering to the guidelines. The failure to remove packing on a regular basis as and when needed can be detrimental to the patient, as the packing obstructing the pus from leaving the cavity.

Trusts should ensure that they have an appropriate care pathway to ensure that healthcare professionals understand what to do when a diabetic foot ulcer is identified and that they provide timely care.

Reductions in staff due to positive COVID-19 cases or isolation as well as other COVID measures (such as redeployment) meant that throughout the pandemic there has been a knock-on effect leading to remaining practitioners to cover even more patients than usual. This led to a reduction in available appointments in an environment when mothers were less likely to attend these in any event.

This article discusses the risk factors associated with performing an appendectomy, including not fully visualising the organ and the risk of leaving part of the appendix in situ.