ABSTRACT
Background: Cutaneous analgesia for venepuncture pain can be achieved using various topically applied local anaesthetic formulations. Xylocaine® 10% Pump Spray containing lignocaine hydrochloride and 95% ethanol is exclusively recommended for mucosal anaesthesia. However, this formulation is readily able to penetrate skin. This study investigated whether topical pretreatment with Xylocaine® 10% Pump Spray could facilitate analgesia for venepuncture. Methods: A single-centre, prospective, randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted. One hundred patients were enrolled. The control and intervention groups had 0.5 ml saline and 0.5 ml Xylocaine® applied for 20 min to preselected venepuncture sites. Pain associated with an 18-gauge cannula venepuncture was rated on an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale. A two-point or 30% reduction in pain would be deemed clinically significant. Results: Pain scores were lower (p = 0.001) in the Xylocaine® (median 2; 95% CI 23) than the saline (median 4; 95% CI 35) group. Moderate-to-severe pain occurred in fewer Xylocaine® (18%) than saline (42%) treated patients (relative risk 0.43, CI 0.22 to 0.48; NNT = 5). Conclusion: Topical Xylocaine® 10% Pump Spray pre-treatment provided a time-effective method of reducing venepunctureassociated pain
Subject(s)
Anesthesia, Local , Bread , LidocaineABSTRACT
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common nosocomial pathogens in intensive care units (ICUs); with an increased prevalence of multidrug resistance in nosocomial infections. This study aimed to determine antibiotic synergy profiles of multidrugresistantP. aeruginosa originating from ICU patients in a teaching hospital in Pretoria; South Africa. Susceptibility studies and in vitrosynergy testing were performed; utilising agar dilution and Etest methodology; respectively. Susceptibility studies revealed 94of isolates exhibiting resistance to more than three anti-pseudomonal agents tested. Results from antibiotic synergy studies suggested that cefepime (p0.0001) or meropenem (p0.0001) in combination with amikacin are possible treatment options available in this specific setting