FEATURE ARTICLES

RICK GEOFFRION and ANDREA VENTURELLI address the question: “Can drug eluting balloons (DEBs) become the next successful and sustainable device platform for treatment of atherosclerosis?”

Dr FRANK PRIOR describes the development of a new method for rapidly and efficiently removing prion protein from stainless steel surgical instruments, which could potentially reduce the infection risk associated with vCJD and other TSEs.

By many accounts, the introduction of digital imaging and PACS in the NHS has been a great success – with PACS now being used in every hospital Trust in England. But what progress has been achieved towards enabling image studies to be shared “seamlessly” across clinical networks? DEWINDER S. BHACHU provides an insight into the challenges ahead.

The Serious Hazards of Transfusion scheme report for 2008 was published recently. The summary of the full report, which is available on the SHOT website or as a hard copy from the SHOT office, is reproduced below.

A national enquiry into inpatient deaths due to acute kidney injury found that a fifth were predictable and avoidable. In many cases, the “very essentials of medical care” were omitted, patients received inadequate investigations and recognition of acute illness, hypovolaemia and sepsis was poor.

Although anaesthetic anaphylaxis is still relatively rare, the numbers of adverse reactions that receive specialist treatment appear to be on the increase. New guidance has been published to help avoid serious consequences. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

A wide range of speakers will educate, motivate and inspire an audience of perioperative practitioners at the AfPP Congress. There will be much to learn from – whether it is the moving account of a family tragedy caused by errors in surgery; a warning of the dangers of smoke inhalation in the operating theatre; or an emotive insight into the work of Mercy Ships in Africa, which is saving lives though the kindness of volunteers.

The Government refusal to offer compensation to all recipients of contaminated blood and blood products has raised deep concerns. Transfusion scientist BARRY HILL examines the background behind this and looks at potential problems ahead for UK blood services.

The Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust (HEFT) recently won first prize in the Oxoid Infection Control Team of the Year Awards for its sustained commitment to reducing healthcare-associated infections.

STEFANO DI LULLO argues that intelligent remote monitoring systems could enable healthcare professionals to predict the course of chronic diseases and therefore take pre-emptive action. Arrhythmia is one example where significant cost benefits could be realised through this approach.

Vanguard Healthcare, a provider of mobile surgery and endoscopy services to the NHS, became an independent company in April 2009, following a management buy out from Nuffield Health. LOUISE FRAMPTON speaks to chief executive Ian Gillespie about the company’s role in providing extra capacity for the NHS, its plans for growth and his views on waiting list targets.

In three years’ time, hospital radiology departments will be “running to stand still” according to the latest market intelligence. In order to meet the increase in demand, the off-site reading market is predicted to grow from £7 m to £74 m in just five years. LOUISE FRAMPTON looks at how one independent sector provider is striving to address this need.

Since committing to the national campaign Patient Safety First, Trusts are reporting significant improvements. One Trust has reduced incidence of cardiac arrest outside critical care by almost a third, while another is making progress in implementing steps to prevent cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Oesophageal cancer is now one of the most common causes of cancer death and the incident rate is rising. Key to reversing this trend is further research into Barrett’s oesophagus – a condition caused by acid reflux. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Aspiring and experienced surgeons across the West Midlands can now hone their skills in a highly realistic simulated operating theatre environment, following the recent opening of a new surgical skills training centre at the University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire. JONATHAN BAILLIE reports.

Dr SIMON MELLOR, medical director, Alliance Medical, says that the independent sector has a key role in improving access to the latest technological advances in radiology which are helping to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

Team work is an essential factor for improving patient safety – yet hierarchies, bullying and a culture of blame continue to hamper progress, according to speakers at this year’s Patient Safety Congress. Human factors need to be fully understood if attempts to improve safety are to succeed. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Could you imagine your surgical team as a highly disciplined race team? How do you advance your career from practitioner to chief executive? Inspiration can be gained from the latest high profile speakers at the AfPP Congress – from a leading figure in Formula One, to a Dame Commander of the British Empire, recognised for her services to nursing.

Abdominal ultrasound scanning provides a useful diagnostic test in surgical patients but immediate access is often not possible – potentially leading to delays in patient management and discharge. A single centre observational study, carried out at Queen’s Hospital, Burton-on-Trent, to assess the impact, found that bed blockages due to delays resulted in significant financial costs.

While patients must not be put at risk of developing pressure ulcers, patients must be comfortable in their hospital bed to aid recovery. The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has conducted research on patients’ perceptions of mattress comfort, with a view to ensuring satisfaction. Nurse consultant (tissue viability), FANIA PAGNAMENTA, MSC, MA, BSC (HONS), DIP N, RGN, reports on the findings.