Surgical scrubbing can be a daunting task when it is your first few times or if you are rusty, especially if you are bieng watched by other staff or in a rush! Here is a re-fresher to make going to theatre more pleasant! Visual summary Article to follow… Created by Dr Brian Ng (FY3)Visual summary
Hand washing is a fundamental and frequent procedure that is practiced in healthcare. Correct technique reduces the transmission of infectious diseases thereby protecting patients, colleagues and yourself. This article will explain when you should clean your hands, the correct technique and use of alcohol gels. When you should clean your hands How to wash your
Digital nerve block is a quick and effective method to provide anaesthesia for injuries and procedures to the digits. This is a useful skill for any doctor working in the emergency department. This article will cover the relevant anatomy, indications, complications and technique to perform this procedure. Anatomy Sensation to the dorsal and palmar aspects
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a very useful investigation for cardiac symptoms. It is important doctors are able to perform an ECG as it is not uncommon to be in a situation where no available staff can do it (especially in community settings). This article aims to serve as a quick guide or refresher on how
Ultrasound scan (USS) guided cannulation is a technique to obtain peripheral vascular access under ultrasound visual guidance. It is particularly useful when peripheral venous access is difficult. It is essential you are confident with cannulation before attempting USS guided cannulation. This article describes the equipment required and method for performing USS guided cannulation. Indications Venous
Feeling faint during blood tests is a common occurrence in clinical practice. Some patients may experience mild dizziness or nausea, while others may develop a full vasovagal syncope resulting in temporary loss of consciousness. Although these episodes are usually brief and self-limiting, they can be distressing for both patients and healthcare staff. Poor recognition of early warning signs may lead to falls, injuries, failed procedures, and increased patient anxiety surrounding future blood tests. Recognising high-risk patients, positioning them appropriately, and responding calmly to early symptoms can significantly improve patient safety
Venepuncture in children can be challenging for both healthcare professionals and families. Anxiety, movement, small veins, and previous negative experiences may all make blood sampling more difficult. Good preparation, communication, and technique can significantly improve success rates and reduce distress for the child. This article provides a practical overview of paediatric venepuncture, including communication strategies, preparation, equipment considerations, and practical tips. This article serves as the third installment in our phlebotomy and venepuncture article series. Why Paediatric Venepuncture is Different Children are not simply “small adults”. Venepuncture may be more difficult due to smaller veins, anxiety, fear, movement during procedures, previous traumatic
Venepuncture is one of the most commonly performed clinical procedures in healthcare. It is used to obtain blood samples for diagnostic testing, monitoring chronic conditions, guiding treatment decisions, and investigating acute illness. Although venepuncture is considered a routine procedure, obtaining blood successfully and safely requires good preparation, communication, and technique. Poor venepuncture technique may lead to patient discomfort, bruising, haemolysis, inaccurate results, failed samples, and repeated procedures. This article provides a practical overview of basic venepuncture, including preparation, vein selection, technique, troubleshooting, and common pitfalls encountered in everyday clinical practice. It serves as the second article in our phlebotomy and venepuncture series. Indications Venepuncture may be performed for a wide range of clinical reasons, including: Blood samples are often essential in guiding diagnosis and management, therefore obtaining good-quality
Urinalysis is the physical and chemical examination of a urine sample. It is a common procedure that can be done quickly and yields important clinical information. This article will teach you the three key steps to perform this procedure and interpret the results. This article includes a quick visual summary, a video demonstration, and a
A fascia iliaca block (FIB) is a regional anaesthetic technique where local anaesthetic is deposited beneath the fascia iliaca to block the femoral, lateral femoral cutaneous, and often obturator nerves. It is commonly used for analgesia in hip and proximal femur fractures, particularly neck of femur fractures. Approaches include the landmark (anatomical) technique, which will be
