News - Page 6

Read BASRaT's latest update regarding the easing of restrictions on 19th July

A short update on requirements from the 19th July onwards (in England).

PPE - We've had confirmation from Public Health England that there will be no changes to Personal Protective Equipment guidance. This means you should continue to use: 

- A type 2R face mask

- Single use gloves

- Single use apron

- The use of visors / eye protecion on a risk-assessed basis

PHE have not yet advised on a date for the revision of this guidance. This level of PPE is important for keeping you, your patients and staff safe - it also exempts you from isolation if you are in contact with a patient that later tests positive.

Patient face coverings - Patients should continue to wear face coverings (unless they are exempt) in healthcare settings. This will be consistent with ongoing Government and PHE guidance. Our guidance on patient face coverings will remain as it is now.

Vaccination status - Vaccination status is not relevant with regards to the use of PPE and face coverings as the same PPE is required for both vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. Therefore, it would not be appropriate to ask patients to disclose this information for these purposes.

Classes and group activity - The legal limits on gatherings and social distancing will end. However, the government are encouraging businesses to maintain the safe working practices, additional cleaning and ensuring good ventilation. Where possible, it would be advisable to maintain social distancing and minimise contact between participants.

We should be able to clarify points in more detail next week. Please bare with us in awaiting updates to the guidance document. If you have any questions, please contact Ollie on registrar@basrat.org.                       BASRaT Team.

Read the latest version of BASRaT's guidance for registrants on operating safely during Covid.

The latest version of the guidance is available to view here. Members who have questions about the guidance can contact Oliver Coburn on registrar@basrat.org. 

A selection of articles to help patients deal with the effects of Long Covid

An estimated 1.1 million people in the UK reported experiencing Long Covid (symptoms persisting more than four weeks after the first suspected Covid-19) in a four week period. Long Covid covers symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain, and difficulty concentrating. Nearly 200,000 individuals reporting that their ability to undertake their day-to-day activities had been limited a lot, according to the ONS. 

We have compiled a number of references to help you treat those recovering from Long Covid, including a patient's rehabilitation recovery pathway, a useful infographic and an article on being aware of post-exertional malaise in patients.  Continue Reading...
                                           

The current issue of BJSM is edited by BASRaT Chief Executive, Stephen Aspinall

This edition also includes:

EDITORIAL - Knee arthroscopy: evidence for a targeted approach - this thoughtful editorial by Robert LaPrade and his Orthopaedic colleagues discusses the science underpinning knee arthroscopy, the importance of a sound clinical assessment along with giving real consideration to the individual patient in front of you 

REVIEWS - Comparative effectiveness of physical exercise interventions for chronic non-specific neck pain  

ORIGINAL RESEARCH 

- adherence to physical activity recommendations for 11–22 years and risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality - why it is never too late to increase your activity levels 

- Time-efficient intervention to improve older adolescents’ cardiorespiratory fitness

INFOGRAPHICS

- Eight Investments That Work for Physical Activity: infographic, animation and call to action (left) - a whole systems approach is crucial for improving population health and underlines the importance of collaborative working

- When is abnormal normal? Reframing MRI abnormalities as a normal part of ageing (middle image)

BASRaT Registered Sport Rehabilitators get free access to BJSM, access this edition here 

Treating patients in the ITU

Sport Rehabilitator, Ryan Smith is working with patients recovering from Covid in an ITU ward as a Respiratory Therapy Assistant. We caught up with him to hear more about how he is successfully working with patients on the road to recovery. 

What is your day to day role on the ITU?

I work on the ITU and COVID designated wards carrying out a variety of duties.

“Primarily I implement exercise programs designed to improve cardio-respiratory function, muscular endurance, and general overall strength.”

I also aim to restore our patients confidence in performing their ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living).

Have Exercise programs made the biggest difference in recovery?

Without a doubt, the early implementation of exercise programs, either in the ITU setting or the COVID designated wards, is an essential component of successful rehabilitation. We know that the recovery from COVID-19 is a long process, with issues ranging from severe physical activity limitations to the need for emotional and psychological coping strategies, as a lot of my patients are intubated and sedated on the ITU. 

Regular exercise has proved the difference, not only physically but mentally too, as our patients feel they are contributing to their own recovery which gives them a drive to improve.

How did you establish procedures for success?

It has certainly been trial and error, initially we knew that respiratory function was significantly decreased, so we needed to develop exercise programs to specifically target these limitations. Another challenge was the lasting fatigue due to the long ITU sedation and ventilation, so instead of developing a ‘core’ program we designed a framework template that was specific for each patient. 

This was patient centred rehabilitation; everyone has unique needs due to each COVID presentation being so different. Based on patient feedback and the positive results to date, this new approach is working well and we will continue to adapt our framework template as our knowledge and experience continues to improve.

“Every patient who leaves our service better than when they were admitted, is a success.”