Ward Round Notes

Significance is often given as a p value where the p value is the probability of getting a result which is as extreme by chance if the null hypothesis was true (that there is no difference/correlation between 2 groups). For example if I wanted to see whether tomatoes grown in the open vs in the green house had different sizes, the null hypothesis would be that there is no difference in size and the alternative hypothesis would be that the tomatoes are either bigger or smaller. If I then I picked 5 tomatoes out of each group and measured their diameter, I cannot be sure whether any difference in average size was caused by me accidentally picking bigger tomatoes in one sample compared to the other. Also the number of tomatoes I picked to measure would affect how accurate the measurement represents the true average of all the tomatoes I have grown. The P value calculated would represent the probability of me getting the same result by chance if there was no difference in the size of the t...

The mechanisms and uses for several groups or antibiotics are described below but resistance and preferred antibiotic choices may vary between local regions and hospital. Please refer to these when considering antibiotic choice for different infections. Antibiotic group Mechanism Indications Examples Side effects and contra-indications Penicillins (Benzylpenicillin, phenoxy-methylpenicillin)   Binds to penicillin binding protiens and inhibits the last stage of cell wall synthesis causing cell lysis. Narrow spectrum – effective against streptococcus (e.g. group A strep, strep pneumonia, s.viridans) Occaisionally effective against non penicillinase producing staphylococcus. Aminoglycosides can be added synergistically against Group B strep, s viridans and enterococcus faecalis. Respiratory infections. Syphilis. Anaphylaxis/ hypersensitivity B lactamase resistant penicillins: fluc...