A.G. Smyth, G.J.
Knepil / British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 46 (2008) 107–109
References
1. Jolleys A, Savage JP. Healing defects in cleft palate surgery – the role of
infection. Br J Plast Surg 1963;16:134–9.
2. Arief EM, Mohamed Z, Idris FM. Study of viridans streptococci and
Staphylococcus species in cleft lip and palate patients before and after
surgery. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 2005;42:277–9.
3. Gold HS, Moellering RC. Antimicrobial drug resistance. N Engl J Med
1996;335:1445–53.
4. Goldmann DA, Weinstein RA, Wenzel RP, et al. Strategies to pre-
vent and control the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant
microorganisms in hospitals. A challenge to hospital leadership. JAMA
1996;275:234–40.
INTERESTING CASE: Photographic documentation with a mobile phone
camera
We recently received a complaint from a patient who insisted that she had been
photographed with a mobile phone camera. She had had severe soft tissue injuries
to the face examined in the accident and emergency department by the max-
illofacial senior house officer. He denied the accusation but it is possible that
someone may have taken a photograph, or the patient believed that one had been
taken.
She made an official complaint, and was particularly concerned that such
images could be shown or texted to people who were unrelated to the profession,
thereby causing a breach of confidentiality.
The incident has indicated a potential “grey area”. The technology is readily
available, but its application in a medical setting has yet to be defined.
109
5.Adkinson Jr NF. Risk factors for drug allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol
1984;74:567–72.
6.Cook RJ, Sackett DL. The number needed to treat: a clinically useful
measure of treatment effect. BMJ 1995;310:452–4.
7.Clinical Standards Advisory Group Report. Cleft lip and palate. London:
HMSO; 1998.
8.Culver DH, Horan TC, Gaynes RP, Eykyn SJ, et al. Surgical wound
infection rates by wound class, operative procedure and patient risk
index. National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System. Am J Med
1991;91(Suppl. 3B):152–7.
9.Wilcox MH, Smyth ET. Incidence and impact of Clostridium difficile
infection in the UK, 1993–1996. J Hosp Infect 1998;39:181–7.
We have advised all doctors in our maxillofacial department that
photographic documentation for medicolegal purposes should always
be arranged by the medical illustration department after appropriate
consent has been arranged. Out-of-hours we recommend that a Polaroid, con-
ventional film, or digital camera is used after written consent has been obtained.
Christian J. Siegmund
Jason Niamat
Christopher M. Avery