Smoke hazard in operating theatres

Not tobacco smoke, of course, but the smoke from diathermy.   

The smoke from diathermy can contain pathogens, mutagens and microbes, but there is no mandatory requirement for it to be evacuated from the theatre.   If it isn't evacuated, of course, theatre staff could breathe it in.

The Association for Perioperative Practice is publicising this and have this explanatory video on the topic.

And then you can sign the petition to ask Parliament to make it mandatory for this smoke plume to be evacuated.

What's new in midwifery - 24th April 2019

Some recent things you might like to know about..

eLearning for Health

Place of Birth e-learning programme - focuses on the different place of birth options for healthy, pregnant women who are at low risk of complications
(Needs NHS Athens - ask your health librarian!)

NICE Guidelines

NG126 - Ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage: diagnosis and initial management

In the news

Extra late-term scan could reduce need for caesareans, finds study

Newborn baby deaths may be on rise among poorest in England

More women over 40 are getting pregnant. But is that really about their choices?

In the news: National Childbirth Trust

The ‘breast is best’ lobby has left women feeling judged and unworthy

National Childbirth Trust president quits in breastfeeding row



Acknowledgements: Embed Health Consortium Health Bulletin

What's new in midwifery - 17th April 2019

Some recent things you might want to know about...

NHS England Atlas of Shared Learning (Case studies)

Introduction of the ‘RAPP’ (Respiration, Activity, Perfusion, Position) Tool to minimise the risk of Sudden Unexpected Postnatal Collapse (Bedford)

NICE Consultations

Comment invited on these draft guidelines:

Preterm labour and birth (update): draft guidance consultation.  Closing date for comments: 30 April 2019.

Intrapartum care: women with existing medical conditions or obstetric complications and their babies: topic engagement.  Closing date for comments: 2 May 2019.

Twin and triplet pregnancy (update): draft guidance consultation.  Closing date for comments: 9 May 2019.

Termination of pregnancy: draft guidance consultation.  Closing date for comments: 31 May 2019.

Statistics

National Statistics
Conceptions in England and Wales 2017

Quarterly conceptions to women aged under 18 – October to December 2017

In the news

More women getting pregnant after 30 than in 20s for first time (Guardian)


Acknowledgements: Embed Health Consortium Health Bulletin

What's new in midwifery - 11th April 2019

Here are some things (a day late) that you might want to know about.

Damien Hirst, The Virgin Mother, Yorkshire Sculpture Park

NICE

Clinical Guideline NG124 - Specialist neonatal respiratory care for babies born preterm

Valproate

New guidance from 13 national bodies on the use of valproate use in women and girls in their reproductive years. The 'pan-College' advice is based on 2018 regulations issued by the MHRA around the prescribing and dispensing of valproate. 

Press release

Guidance

Summary of NICE of guidance and other safety advice on valproate

Damien Hirst, The Virgin Mother, Yorkshire Sculpture Park

What's new in midwifery - 3rd April 2019

Some recent things you might like to know about...

NICE 

Quality Standard QS179 - Child Abuse and Neglect (Feb 2019)

Department of Health

Open consultation: Coronial investigation of stillbirths

NHS Digital

Maternity Services Monthly Statistics December 2018, Experimental statistics

NHS England - Case studies

Surrey Heartlands Pregnancy Advice Line

NHS Improvement

Implementing handovers and huddles: a framework for practice in maternity units

Research

The Support for New Mums Project: A protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial designed to test a postnatal psychoeducation smartphone application
Research undertaken in Australia

In the news

Cryptic pregnancies: ‘I didn’t know I was having a baby until I saw its head’ (Guardian)





Acknowledgements: King's Fund Library Health Management and Policy Alert, Embed Health Consortium Health Bulletin, Social Care Institute for Excellence