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Meningitis - Life-saving CDRom for doctors
14 May 2007
Meningitis Research Foundation is launching a potentially life-saving learning tool for junior hospital doctors who are often in the firing line when cases of meningitis and septicaemia are missed or treatment has not been optimal.
This new CDRom, which integrates text, video clips, clinical photos, sound files, charts, and illustrations, enables junior doctors to learn from real cases of meningitis and septicaemia.
The CDRom is based on a nationwide study*, funded by the Foundation, that showed us where doctors make errors in diagnosis and management. The study found that a few simple errors repeatedly led to delayed or inadequate treatment, and often the most junior doctors were faced with very sick children, clearly outside their clinical experience.
This resource uses case histories from the study to show what a child with developing septicaemia or meningitis looks like. We hope the CDRom will help doctors, especially doctors in training, to avoid some of the common pitfalls in recognising and treating these children, thereby saving lives.
Denise Vaughan, Meningitis Research Foundation Chief Executive commented: "Meningitis and septicaemia can develop so quickly that a child could be fighting for life within hours of the onset of symptoms. This is why prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are so crucial. We are delighted to bring this vital new resource to junior doctors, which we hope will save lives."
The Foundation is currently sending some 10,000 copies of the CDRom to doctors in paediatrics and emergency medicine and to resuscitation officers throughout the UK. Doctors can order copies free of charge by contacting the Foundation on 080 8800 3344. A web version can be accessed here.
The learning resource has been extensively tested by doctors across the country, and is endorsed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and by the College of Emergency Medicine.
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* Ninis N, Phillips C, Bailey L, Pollock JI, Nadel S, Britto J, Maconochie I, Winrow A, Coen PG, Booy R, Levin M. The role of healthcare delivery in the outcome of meningococcal disease in children: case-control study of fatal and non-fatal cases. British Medical Journal. June 2005;330:1475
Media Contact: Julia Warren - 01454 281811/280406 or 07711 057875
Notes to Editor:
- The CDRom has been developed as a direct result of research funded by Meningitis Research Foundation with help of a grant from the Community Fund (now the Big Lottery Fund).
- The research was conducted by Imperial College School of Medicine and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
- Production of the CDRom has been made possible through a grant from the Department of Health, London.
- Meningitis Research Foundation has 24 research projects in its programme and has current and future commitments of over £2 million. Since the charity was set up in 1989 some £11 million has been spent on research, making the total value of the charity's investment in vital scientific research nearly £13 million.
- Through its Freefone 24 hour helpline - 080 8800 3344 - Meningitis Research Foundation provides information on meningitis and septicaemia to the general public and help and support to those who have been affected by these diseases.
- Information on meningitis and septicaemia is also available on the Foundation's world-renowned website - www.meningitis.org - in 18 languages. An interpretation service in 120 languages is available through the 24 hour helpline.
Symptoms of meningitis:
Fever and/or vomiting, severe headache; rash; stiff neck*; dislike of bright lights*; very sleepy/vacant/difficult to wake; confused/delirious; seizures (fits) may also be seen. (*Unusual in young children.)
Symptoms of septicaemia (blood poisoning form of the disease):
Fever and/or vomiting; limb/joint/muscle pain; cold hands and feet; pale or mottled skin; breathing fast/breathless; rash; very sleepy/vacant/difficult to wake; confused/delirious.
Other symptoms in babies include: tense or bulging fontanelle (soft spot); refusing to feed; being irritable when picked up with a high pitched or moaning cry; a stiff body with jerky movements or else floppy and lifeless.