Hospital doctor

GPs should conduct C-reactive protein tests before prescribing antibiotics to treat pneumonia

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends that GPs should conduct a C-reactive protein test if it is unclear whether a patient has pneumonia to ensure antibiotics are only prescribed when necessary.…

Useful text for those working in critical care

‘Handbook of drugs in intensive care, an A-Z guide 5th edition’ by Henry Paw and Rob Shulman.…

Specialist pharmacists can support hospital consultants in the community

Integrating hospital consultants into primary care can improve the management of chronic conditions and reduce hospital waiting times, says the King’s Fund in a new report.…

Medication errors cost the NHS up to £2.5bn a year

The NHS wastes at least £1bn – and possibly as much as £2.5bn – on preventable errors, many of which are related to improper use of medication, according to a report commissioned by the Department of Health.…

Cardiac surgery: caring for a patient and managing complications

Life-threatening complications following cardiac surgery are common, but can be managed with appropriate treatment.…

UK regulator removes need to report all adverse drug reactions in children

It will no longer be compulsory for pharmacists, doctors and other healthcare professionals in the UK to report all suspected adverse drug reactions in children to the Yellow Card scheme, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has announced.…