Potential questions?

One of the hot topics at the moment in hospitals is something called the "Saving Lives Campaign", basically all about reducing HAI (hospital acquired infections). If you don't know anything about it, don't worry too much, BUT you should be aware that there are several potential questions for the SAQ and the viva brewing as a result of it.

One of the two main drives is about cannulation and insertion of intravenous lines, and how to reduce infection as a result of careful use of skin cleansing for both peripheral AND central lines (Not sure there's a huge amount of evidence for that as far as peripheral lines are concerned - Ed.) Also, insertion of urinary catheters has been targeted, use of enteral feeding systems, and how to do it properly, and the prevention of spread of infection by hand washing, safe sharps disposal, good aseptic technique and use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). (See this page at www.clean-safe-care.nhs.uk (!! When will the Vieux Boulogne come to an end? - Ed.))

I would just like to bring to your attention this quote from the RCOA Commentary on the April SAQ

The SAQ paper was set on February 28th 2008. At this meeting the members of the SAQ group noted
that some of the repeat questions continued to be poorly answered, and that questions relating to
issues of public interest and patient safety were poorly done. Although matters relating to patient
safety are not textbook knowledge, they will continue to be part of the syllabus and candidates can
expect that the examiners will emphasise this important aspect of the College’s work.

What this means is that you definitely need to be aware of stuff coming out of the NPSA and NICE as related to anaesthesia and medicine in general, and we will bring you some more information on those kinds of things when the new website goes live at the beginning of next week! More on that in another post...

Book Review: Final FRCA Short answer questions by Nikells et al

FINAL FRCA Short answer questions by James Nickells, Maan Hasan, Vino Ramachandra and Neville Robinson (ISBN: 0-7279-1289-5; Publisher: BMJ Books)


Published way back in 1998, this book is looking a bit dated now, and that's not just in terms of it's cover, but also it's typeface (better known as font, nowadays). The layout is in the form of nine exam papers which are the same format as the current paper, and include some old favourites, such as writing notes on statistical tests, describing the anatomy of the trachea, stress ulcers in ICU and anaesthetising in an MRI. From this point of view it gives you the opportunity to set a timer, and sit down and do "a practice paper under exam conditions".

The model answers are simply laid out with bullet points and subheadings given to show a suggested framework, and the explanations are generally short and sweet. The questions chosen for inclusion were quite cleverly chosen for the principles of management and principles of answering, and answers are still applicable today. However, because the book is from 1998 some of the answers can be out of date and/or dated. For example magnets are no longer recommended for routine use (Anaesthesia 2006) with pacemakers. After a prolonged re-read, however, no massive glaring problems were discovered, and any issues there are with answers are fairly obvious, on the whole, and should only cause a minor irritation to the reader.

Less wordy than some other SAQ books in its answers, this proved a useful revision aid for it's simle layout and simple answers. There are no "for extra bonus points" points, instead the authors stuck to the KISS principle. (Keep it simple, silly - Ed.)

Would we recommend it? Difficult one. Questions in this book are covered in other books which also cover more topics. I preferred the style and layout of the answers in this to some of the other books, but not everyone will do. Overall, it wouldn't be top of the list, because other books have slightly more to offer, but it's a useful adjunct to revision.

Another Hot Topic

If like us you are a member of the AAGBI then you will recently have received a copy of their latest glossy on Red Cell Transfusion. Sadly they don't appear to have put it up on their website yer, and we've not had time to review it, but we will try to keep an eye on the website and put up a link as soon as we can.

Keep an eye on the site as we get closer to the closing date for entry and we will put up a list of what we consider are likely to be the hot topics from the previous 12 months. Also, watch James Shorthouse's blog over at Passing the Final, as he keeps a good update going, which often includes the hot topics.