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INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the effects of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) on the accuracy and reliability of point-of-care fingertip capillary blood glucose values in euglycaemic non-diabetic participants compared against venous serum blood glucose samples processed in an accredited pathology laboratory. METHODS: Ten non-diabetic hyperbaric staff members (age 35–55 years) underwent a standard 243 kPa HBOT exposure for 95 minutes. Blood glucose levels were measured via (i) finger-prick capillary test using the FreeStyle Optium™ Neo H glucometer and (ii) venous serum test using the Cobas 6000 laboratory analyser. Samples were taken at (T1) 0 minutes (pre-HBOT), (T2) 25 minutes, and (T3) 55 minutes into HBOT. RESULTS: All participants were euglycaemic at T1 (BGL 3.8–5.4 mmol·L(-1)). The highest venous serum value was 5.90 mmol·L(-1) at T3 and the highest capillary value was 6.30 mmol·L(-1) at T1. Post hoc tests showed a statistically significant difference between the mean capillary result pre-dive (T1) and readings at T2 (P = 0.001) and T3 (P < 0.001) while differences between T2 and T3 capillary results were not statistically significant, illustrating the effect of HBOT on capillary beds. Differences in venous values across the time points were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Venous serum glucose samples processed in an accredited laboratory may be more consistently accurate, but capillary point-of-care testing avoids delays in sample processing and provides glucose data that are of clinical relevance. The FreeStyle Optium™ Neo H glucometer is safe to use and provides a reliable measurement of blood glucose in the HBOT environment.

Aims and objectives To review literature associated with external beam radiotherapy and skin damage. A focus of the literature search is to highlight and discuss the myriad of skin assessment tools that are available to the clinician when assessing skin injury in patients receiving external beam radiation therapy. Background It is apparent that despite considerable work being progressed in the development of individualised skin assessment tools, uptake and use is poor. These tools are designed to assist the clinician in the evaluation of damaged skin and predict the radiation wound development pathway. Design An integrated review can be used to address a mature or new and emerging topic through a systematic methodology, which is either theoretical or empirical, gained from research, practice or policy initiatives (Whittemore & Knafl, Journal of Advanced Nursing, 52, 2005, 546). This review is particularly concerned with the employment of skin assessment tools by clinicians in patients with radiation damaged skin. Using the search terms synonyms for radiation, skin and epidermal damage, PubMed/MEDLINE, Medical Complete and Web of Science databases were searched. Consulting professional peers was employed as part of the inclusion and exclusion process. Conclusion There is a high level of unpredictability about which patient will have an uncomplicated course of external beam radiotherapy. Variables may include, but are not limited to, an acute reaction, a delayed reaction resulting in actual skin damage or no visible skin disturbance. The skin assessment tools that are readily available are not regularly referenced in clinical practice when attempting to manage the many side effects of radiation therapy. Skin assessment tools require ongoing clinical validation, so they can be used to guide practitioners to undertake further assessment of skin integrity. Relevance to clinical practice The current body of knowledge suggests clinicians caring for patients receiving therapeutic radiotherapy should consider integrating a recognised patient assessment skin framework into their daily routine. Such validated tools may add value to postradiotherapy patient care by providing a consistency of management and accordingly refining best practice.

Summary Described in this study is the case of a 53-year-old woman who developed a life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Capnocytophaga canimorsus ( C. canimorsus ), subsequent to being bitten by a dog. The patient presented to an Emergency Department with a 24-h history of diarrhoea and vomiting with dehydration but within 36h of presentation developed an overwhelming severe sepsis with septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute renal failure, metabolic acidosis and threatened acute respiratory failure requiring urgent intensive care intervention. At subsequent questioning her husband volunteered that she had been bitten on the wrist by the family dog 24h prior to the onset of symptoms; this bite had been extremely minor, requiring no treatment at the time and leaving only a very superficial wound. The causative organism was finally identified two weeks later as C. canimorsus , a common commensal in the oral flora of dogs. C. canimorsus has been reported as a rare cause of severe infection in susceptible individuals; however this case is of particular interest as there were no apparent predisposing factors conferring risk of severe infection. This case also raised significant practice issues for the treating hospital.