Additional reader

I have just noticed that this blog has 2 readers and I am quite happy and impressed about it! The texts/ videos in here are not mine, they are just a collection of resources that I find in the process of learning! I think that blogging is a great way of applying CPD cycles and it is a really handy way of tracing what one has learned and remind themselves what they have learned and are supposed to know. At least that is how it works for me. I also hope to write something on my own one day and not just have a collection of links and texts written by others. In any case, I hope you find this blog useful.

Special Containers&Calendar Packs

http://www.psnc.org.uk/pages/special_container_calendar_pack_database.html

bristol paediatric cardiac surgery unit inquiry

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/background_briefings/the_bristol_heart_babies/304026.stm

Harold Shipman

MIchael Neary

Michael Neary is a retired Irish consultant obstetrician/gynecologist. He gained notoriety when it was discovered that he had performed what was considered an inordinate number of caesarian hysterectomies during his time at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, County Louth. He was suspended by the Irish Medical Council in 1999 pending their investigations, and then struck off the Register of Medical Practitioners in 2003. As a result of the Medical Council's investigation, which discovered a number of alarming aspects to the case, an inquiry was set up in April 2004 by the then Minister for Health and Children, Micheál Martin to investigate the matter. Their report was made public by the Tánaiste, and Minister for Health Mary Harney in February 2006. The Lourdes Hospital Inquiry report was written by Judge Maureen Harding-Clarke, a prominent Irish judge. She and her team interviewed Dr Neary himself, most hospital staff in Drogheda and various action groups and patients.

During the inquiry, Judge Harding-Clarke's offices were broken into at least three times, she has said.

Her report repeated many findings of the Medical Council's investigation (which she criticised for taking too long), but delved much deeper into Dr Neary's actions, and those of his colleagues.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Neary_(surgeon)

http://www.rte.ie/tv/whistleblower/index.html

http://ajpe.org/view.asp?art=aj700359&pdf=yes

Difference between Diabetes Inipidus and Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Insipidus is a result of other pituitary not secreting enough vasopressin or kidneys not responding to vasopressin. This has as a consequence excessive water secretion, as water cannot be reabsorbed. Usually polyuria is sudden, polydipsia and dehydration are also symptoms of Diabetes Insipidus. If it is Central Diabetes Insipidus, then desmopressin is recommended as a tretment. In Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus a low sodium intake is recommende and treatment includes the concomintant use of thiazide and potassium-sparing diuretics.
Diabetes Mellitus is associated to insulin. In Type 1 Diabetes, there not enough insulin being secreted, whereas in type 2 insulin is present but cells fail to respond to it. Type 1 Diabetics are treated with insulin replacement, whereas type 2are treated by Oral sulfonylureas (like glimepiride, glyburide, and tolazamide), Biguanides (Metformin), Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (such as acarbose),Thiazolidinediones (such as rosiglitazone) and Meglitinides (including repaglinide and nateglinide. Metformin is usually the treatment of choice. As for the symptoms present in Diabetes Mellitus include polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, weight changes, tiredness and skin infections.
http://www.diabetesinsipidus.org/4di_di_vs_dm.htm

Jonathan Mason discusses the environmental impact of the NHS

Generics for Epilepsy?

http://mediazone.brighttalk.com/comm/Wiley/8a1bbf4f92-15186-3326-16098
http://mediazone.brighttalk.com/comm/Wiley/2da40f9b0b-15187-3326-16100
http://mediazone.brighttalk.com/comm/Wiley/99fa6f0cac-15185-3326-16099
http://mediazone.brighttalk.com/comm/Wiley/e8636b31df-15188-3326-16101
Interesting Presentations

For Applications and Interviews

Applicants are advised to show interest in company or trust they apply for, not just community or NHS. It is useful if they read about the hospital or company and what they offer and cliches should be avoided.

PANDAS

PANDAS, is an abbreviation for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. The term is used to describe a subset of children who have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and/or tic disorders such as Tourette's Syndrome, and in whom symptoms worsen following strep. infections such as "Strep throat" and Scarlet Fever.

The children usually have dramatic, "overnight" onset of symptoms, including motor or vocal tics, obsessions, and/or compulsions. In addition to these symptoms, children may also become moody, irritable or show concerns about separating from parents or loved ones. This abrupt onset is generally preceeded by a Strep. throat infection.

What is the mechanism behind this phenomenon? At present, it is unknown but researchers at the NIMH are pursuing a theory that the mechanism is similar to that of Rheumatic Fever, an autoimmune disorder triggered by strep. throat infections. In every bacterial infection, the body produces antibodies against the invading bacteria, and the antibodies help eliminate the bacteria from the body. However in Rheumatic Fever, the antibodies mistakenly recognize and "attack" the heart valves, joints, and/or certain parts of the brain. This phenomenon is called "molecular mimicry", which means that proteins on the cell wall of the strep. bacteria are similar in some way to the proteins of the heart valve, joints, or brain. Because the antibodies set off an immune reaction which damages those tissues, the child with Rheumatic Fever can get heart disease (especially mitral valve regurgitation), arthritis, and/or abnormal movements known as Sydenham’s Chorea or St. Vitus Dance.

In PANDAS, it is believed that something very similar to Sydenham’s Chorea occurs. One part of the brain that is affected in PANDAS is the Basal Ganglia, which is believed to be responsible for movement and behavior. Thus, the antibodies interact with the brain to cause tics and/or OCD, instead of Sydenham Chorea.

http://intramural.nimh.nih.gov/pdn/web.htm

Refusal to dispense a Rx for the pill

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/8557816.stm

MUR form

http://www.psnc.org.uk/data/files/mur_form_v2_final.doc

The best healthy fast-foods in America

Some of the tips on how to reduce the calories of meals and drinks ae really good.
http://eatthis.womenshealthmag.com/slide/best-restaurant-sundae?slideshow=98360#title

What's really in your fast-food?

1=31036">http://health.msn.com/nutrition/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100254643>1=31036

Pill Identifier

http://www.rxlist.com/pill-identification-tool/article.htm#

Citation Online only2010;.Elizabeth Lee did not contribute to patient’s death, says coroner

Elizabeth Lee’s dispensing error has not contributed towards Carmel Sheller’s death.
However, from her error there are several things that when improved dispensing will be safer, such as packaging, checking and breaks.
Pharmaceutical companies should not make similar packets, having the same colour.
Double checking should be always done, even if the Pharmacy dispenses the medicine.
Pharmacists should have proper breaks, even if that means they have to leave the premises.
http://www.pjonline.com/news/elizabeth_lee_did_not_contribute_to_patient%E2%80%99s_death_says_coroner

Rxs

Medicine Act prescriptions

The truth about tanning

It is a BBC programme where Nicola Roberts is exploring the truth about tanning. In the programme Nicola makes various home visits accross the country to make people aware about the risks of sun-tanning and fake tanning. In a trial to persuade funs of tanning to not overdo it, she highlights the importance of natural beauty and conservation of natural colour. With this programme Nicola participated in a campaign and sheded light into skin cancer associated with tanning.

To watch it follow the link.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qmvp9

If you are a non-UK resident try to find videos on you tube.

Regulation of the Pharmaceutical Industry

UK: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
MHRA previously called the MCA ( http://www.mhra.gov.uk/ )

Europe European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products
EMEA ( http://www.emea.eu.int/ )

USA Food and Drug Administration
FDA ( http://www.fda.gov/ )

Japan Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau
PFSB ( http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/org/policy/p13-14.html )

Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration
TGA ( http://www.health.gov.au/tga/ )

International International Committee on Harmonisation
( http://www.ich.org/ )