OurJICShighlight

Clinicalillnessaspectsofheatstroke:ahottopic

Eachquarter,wespotlightanarticleofinterestinthelatesteditionofJICS-upthistimeinthemidstofsummerisanimportantarticle onheatstroke

Heatstroke represents the most severe end of the heat illness spectrum and is increasingly seen in those undergoing exercise or exertion (exertional heatstroke) and those exposed to high ambient temperatures, for example in heatwaves(classical heatstroke) Bothformsmaybeassociatedwithsignificantthermalinjury,leadingtoorgandysfunctionandtheneedforadmissiontoanintensive careunit

This narrative review highlights the importance of early diagnosis rapid cooling and effective management of complications It discusses the incidence, clinical features and treatment of heatstroke, and discusses the possible role of intestinal permeability and advances in follow-up and recovery of this condition Optimum treatment involves an integrated input from prehospital, emergency departmentandcriticalcareteams,alongwithfollow-upbyrehabilitationteamsand,ifappropriate,sportsorclinicalphysiologists

GlovesOffinCriticalCare!

Eachday,morethan100glovesareusedperpatientinintensive care While some of this glove use is important for the safety of both staff and patients, there are many instances in ICU where gloves aren’t necessary and avoiding them can be good for the planetandpromotemoreopportunitiesforgoodhandhygiene

With all this in mind our Sustainability Working Group set about creating a set of posters to help spread the message You can download and display these in your unit to encourage the whole team to stop and consider when they do or do not need to wear gloves The posters were endorsed by both the British Association of Critical Care Nurses and the Infection Prevention Society, and were released in the first week of May to mark WorldHandHygieneDayon5May

The posters have been very well received so far, and we ’ ve had somegreatreportsofthembeingadoptedbyunitsasatoolfor changing behaviour and practice They may even be on their waytoaunitnearyou!

We’ve also been spotlighting some excellent posters and materials created by Sam Clark one of our Trainee Advisory Group members, and the team at Warrington University Teaching Hospitals Their work focuses on the same message thatglovesarentalwaysnecessaryinintensivecare

ThesepostersarepartofthewiderworkourSustainabilityGroup is taking on relating to waste and pollution produced by critical care so we’ll have lots more to share with you in the coming months,includingtoolstohelpyousegregateandreducewaste in your unit We’re making great progress towards our commitment to helping make our specialty sustainable so theresplentyofprojectsonthehorizon!

You can find our posters, or learn about all the other sustainability projects going on at the Society at icsacuk/sustainability