CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Calls to build British diagnostics industry at scale
The Government is calling on pharmaceutical giants and diagnostic companies to join forces on plans to roll out millions of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests.
Biomed engineers play vital role at Nightingale NHS Hospital
Twenty of Althea’s specialist biomed engineers are playing a vital role at the newly built Nightingale NHS Hospital in London to build, test and commission thousands of lifesaving medical equipment ready for the first patients to be treated.
Antibody test under development for coronavirus
In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Beckman Coulter has announced that it is developing assays to identify IgM and IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2.
Harrogate Nightingale to implement Silverlink PAS to support staff and patients amid Coronavirus pandemic
The new Nightingale Hospital set to open at Harrogate Convention Centre to support the increasing number of patients with Covid-19, will be underpinned a leading Patient Administration Systems (PAS), designed specifically for the NHS.
IBM staff create protective face visors at home for NHS
As the UK faces a shortage of protective equipment in hospitals due to the ongoing crisis surrounding COVID-19, IBM staff with 3D printers are turning their devices and skills to helping alleviate the shortage by producing them themselves after an internal rallying call for expertise and supplies.
Researchers identify method of ventilating two patients simultaneously
Amid the potential acute shortages of ventilators at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have shown in a new simulation study the potential for ventilators to be manipulated to ventilate two patients independently.
Call to action for UK Trusts with broken or disused ventilators
Managed service and maintenance provider Althea is urging UK hospitals who have disused ventilation equipment to contact them immediately.
Could robotics help combat coronavirus?
The use of robotics and artificial intelligence has been a key feature in the fight against Coronavirus in China, where the technology has been used for infection control, logistical tasks and support in the treatment of patients. Now a British-based organisation, MedAssyst, is bringing the technology to the UK.
UK leads world's largest trial of coronavirus treatments
The world’s largest randomised clinical trial of potential coronavirus treatments is underway in the UK as part of the race to find a treatment.
Survey finds only one third of physicians can access COVID-19 testing despite symptoms
A survey of over 2,513 members of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has revealed that only 31% of its members are able to access COVID-19 testing for themselves if they have symptoms.
NICE publishes second set of rapid COVID-19 guidelines
The new NICE guidelines cover the provision of radiotherapy services and bone marrow transplant during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Formula 1 'Project Pitlane' to support manufacture of medical devices
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is working closely with Formula 1 and a collective of UK-based teams, engine manufacturers and their respective technology arms as part of Project Pitlane to co-ordinate work in scaling up ventilator production for patients with coronavirus.
Professor calls for engineers to help solve NHS and healthcare issues amid pandemic
A new project has been launched to unite engineers from across the world to help solve challenges deriving from the Covid-19 pandemic.
UK launches whole genome sequence alliance to map spread of coronavirus
The Government and the UK’s Chief Scientific Adviser have backed UK clinicians and scientists to map how COVID-19 spreads and behaves by using whole genome sequencing.
Southampton team develops prototype PPE to protect frontline staff from COVID-19
Engineers and medical staff from the University of Southampton are testing a prototype of a personal respirator they have developed for frontline healthcare staff tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. If the tests are successful, they hope it will solve the limitations of existing protective equipment doctors and nurses are wearing on the wards.
Trials start on inhaled drug for COVID-19
A team of scientists at the University of Southampton have announced a trial of an inhaled drug that may help people reduce the symptoms of COVID-19. This trial is being supported by the NIHR through its Respiratory Translational Research Collaboration (R-TRC).
CPAP could help avoid invasive ventilation in COVID-19 patients
A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device could provide an alternative breathing aid to help COVID-19 patients with serious lung infections, without the need to use invasive ventilators – according a team of engineers and clinicians, from Formula 1 and UCLH.
Individuals taking class of steroid medications at high risk for COVID-19
Individuals taking a class of steroid hormones called glucocorticoids for conditions such as asthma, allergies and arthritis on a routine basis may be unable to mount a normal stress response and are at high risk if they are infected with the virus causing COVID-19, according to a new editorial published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
China's control measures may have prevented 700,000 COVID-19 cases
China's control measures during the first 50 days of the COVID-19 epidemic may have delayed the spread of the virus to cities outside of Wuhan by several days and, by interrupting transmission nationwide, prevented more than 700,000 infections across the country, according to an international team of researchers.
Ethical guidance published for frontline staff dealing with pandemic
The Royal College of Physicians has published ethical guidance for frontline staff dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, supported by more than a dozen other royal colleges and health organisations.
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