COVID-19 and patient safety in intensive care : what can we learn?

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (COVID-19) a worldwide pandemic. An influx of patients with COVID-19-related critical illness necessitated rapid changes in care strategies to address overwhelming intensive care unit (ICU) service demands, the continued care of non-COVID-19 patients, and mitigate viral spread. These unparalleled challenges highlighted the safety critical nature of nursing, with patient safety being core. As the world recovers from the pandemic, it is vital we reflect on patient using a systems approach, to identify areas of learning (Komashie, et al., 2021). This article outlines key COVID-19 ICU safety impacts to highlight opportunities for learning and inform future ICU patient’s care

Lifestyle factors in people seeking infertility treatment - A review

Background:  Clinical infertility is a prevalent problem with significant financial and psychosocial costs. Modifiable lifestyle factors exist that may affect a person’s time to conception and their chance of having a healthy, live birth. However, no guideline delineates what preconception advice should be offered to people presenting for infertility treatment. Aim:  The aim of this article is to review the literature regarding modifiable lifestyle factors in people seeking infertility treatment. Results:  A person’s time to pregnancy and their chance of having a healthy, live birth may be affected by factors such as weight, vitamin and iodine intake, alcohol and caffeine consumption, smoking, substance abuse, stress, environmental pollutants, vaccinations and oxidative stress. Conclusions:  Advice on modifiable lifestyle factors should be given to people presenting for infertility treatment to help them make positive changes that may improve their chances of pregnancy and delivering a healthy, live baby. Developing a guideline for this would be a prudent step towards helping clinicians to implement this aspect of preconception care.Kirsty Anderson, Vicki Nisenblat and Rob Norma