RECENT FEATURE ARTICLES
Tackling injury risk linked to lack of ergonomics
Is there an issue with ergonomics in surgery and can instrument design help take the strain? Michael Parden highlights the importance of preventing musculoskeletal pain and injury within the surgical community
Minimising infection risk in ultrasound
Point of care ultrasound has become an indispensable tool in ICUs and Emergency Departments, but with studies identifying high levels of contamination on ultrasound probes, how can healthcare providers minimise the infection risks and improve safety for patients? Olivier Mazille calls for improvement and standardisation of disinfection processes.
Arab Health success for UK HealthTech
CSJ spoke to ABHI’s head of international events, Michelle Michelucci, about this year’s action-packed programme and why the show continues to provide such an influential platform.
HSIB warns of lack of patient information at the bedside
NHS staff may not always be able to access accurate, critical information at the hospital bedside during life-threatening emergencies, a new report from the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch has warned.
Importance of detecting pathogens in water
A recent trial has highlighted the value of water testing for the early detection of infection outbreaks, to enable health and care providers to implement robust infection prevention measures. However, water testing can offer a valuable contribution to IP&C in a variety of ways – from epidemiology and environmental monitoring, to ensuring the safety of medical devices.
CSC: highlighting top priorities in decontamination
The Central Sterilising Club Annual Scientific Meeting provides an excellent learning opportunity for all those involved in decontamination. With a focus on extending knowledge and improving practice, this year’s event promises to provide a platform for discussion around the key challenges ahead, as well as reflections on lessons learnt. CSJ provides an insight into the hot topics being discussed
Government unveils MedTech strategy
Using MedTech effectively will be critical for reducing waiting lists, as well as improving outcomes for patients. The Government has set out its key priorities for supporting MedTech innovation and adoption, while ensuring a sustainable and resilient supply chain
A deeper dive into safe surgery barriers
Nigel Roberts provides an insight into a second Delphi study investigating the views of operating theatre teams on the surgical safety checklist and Local Safety Standards for Invasive Procedures.
New safety standards for invasive procedures
Kate Woodhead RGN DMS provides an insight into the second National Safety Standards for Invasive Procedures, aimed at improving patient safety. She welcomes the new standards and hopes that theatre teams will fully engage with them.
COVER STORY: Driving innovation in endoscope decontamination
Wassenburg has pioneered in the field of endoscope decontamination, with the aim of improving patient safety. However, the company’s vision goes beyond just ensuring a clean scope – with the company’s CEOs setting out a commitment to sustainable and ethical values.
Calls to continue home BP monitoring
Professor Melvin Lobo, director of the internationally renowned Barts Blood Pressure Clinic, saw one major positive outcome of the pandemic – people becoming more engaged in their own health, with proactive, self-directed blood pressure (BP) monitoring. He explains why this approach can vastly improve the understanding of patterns in hypertensive patients and, in turn, lead to better patient outcomes.
Infection prevention at the heart of design
Harald Huber discusses the importance of working with clinicians on product development to maximise infection prevention in endoscopy.
The prognosis for diagnostic services
To cope with the challenges of the future, it is critical to optimise diagnostic services and enable faster and earlier testing. Tracey Sainsbury discusses the key challenges and opportunities ahead
Tackling workforce challenges in the NHS
Dr. Steve Fox argues that the healthcare sector must consider how insourced staff can be used appropriately to embed long-term resilience in the NHS workforce.
How tech could bring the joy back to nursing
Burnout, mental health struggles and a lack of work-life balance have been given as the main reasons for staff leaving the NHS. Sophie Evans, a former critical care nurse and now a clinical consultant for health communications specialist Ascom, discusses why it has never been more important for the NHS to bring back the joy to nursing, and how technology can play a major role.
Difficult to clean devices: the case for single use
Not all instruments can be guaranteed clean, especially those with narrow lumens. Jon Blastland argues that single-use alternatives could help reduce the risk of surgical site infection.
South-West eradicates TRUS biopsies
Transrectal (TRUS) biopsies can yield inaccuracies in identifying potential cancer cells, while the nature of the procedure brings an increased likelihood of infection. Efforts are underway to phase out the procedure and Trusts are moving to alternative approaches. Over the past two years, the South-West of England has widely adopted the PrecisionPoint Transperineal Access
End of the line for disposable textiles?
Roberta Charlett examines the case for switching to reusable surgical textiles and the steps that will be required to successfully implement this.
Understanding check list challenges
Nigel Roberts, head theatre practitioner, at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Hospital Trust, provides an insight into a Delphi Study (round one), which has sought to understand current practice around the use of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and some of the challenges around implementation.
Key factors to drive improvement in SSDs
Sustainability, training, automation, and patient safety were among the hot topics discussed at the Institute of Decontamination Sciences (IDSc) annual conference. Top experts gave their views on the challenges ahead and key areas that must be addressed to ensure safe, efficient and sustainable sterile services.
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Upcoming Events
Central Sterilising Club Annual Scientific Meeting
Crowne Plaza, Newcastle Upon Tyne
3rd - 4th April 2023
DECON UK 2023
Hilton Birmingham Metropole
18th April 2023
Infection Prevention and Control 2023
National Conference Centre, Birmingham
25th - 26th April 2023
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