FEATURE ARTICLES

Five years on since the global threat of severe acquired respiratory syndome was first identified, significant work has been undertaken into understanding the causes, diagnosis and treatment of this potentially pandemic disease. Dr RICHARD COLLINS discusses the lessons that have been learned.

The European symposium at the Society for Surgical Infection Congress, held in Turkey, examined some of the non-pharmaceutical strategies used in the fight against SSIs – ranging from microbial sealants, to autologous blood transfusions. CHRIS BIRD reports.

Financial targets must not be put ahead of quality and safety, senior healthcare professionals were told at the recent Patient Safety Congress. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS supports the implementation of the World Health Organization’s latest initiative, which aims to improve surgical quality and safety in the operating theatre.

Organisational failures affecting the outcome of coronary artery bypass grafts have been identified as a result of a confidential enquiry. Communication and teamwork were highlighted as key areas for improvement, at the report’s launch in London. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

The Infection Prevention Society (incorporating ICNA) conference and exhibition will focus on informing infection prevention practice, promoting patient and public safety through control of infection, and sustaining quality improvement. The Clinical Services Journal reports on the importance of attending this event.

LYNDA HAMLYN, the new head of NHS Blood and Transplant, talks to The Clinical Services Journal about the challenges ahead in providing a safe and sufficient supply of blood, organs and other specialist services.

What impact do independent sector radiology services have on the NHS? Do outsourced services meet the standards of the NHS and what are the risks and benefits? LOUISE FRAMPTON reports on divided opinion expressed at a recent radiology conference.

Robotics in surgery, system integration, safety in electrosurgery, infection control issues relating to medical equipment, endoscopic technologies, and the prevention of incidents involving medical devices were subjects examined at this year’s Completing the Picture event – the seventh in a series of annual educational symposiums for clinical and biomedical engineers. The series is sponsored by education grants from Welch Allyn. NICHOLAS MARSHALL reports.

Significant reductions in bacteraemias have been reported at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust. LOUISE FRAMPTON talks to the “Saving Lives” implementation team to find out how these improvements were achieved.

The celebration of the NHS at 60 provides the opportunity to reflect on one of the most astounding human endeavors of modern times. The many changes within the service, over the past six decades, have been described as an exciting and challenging journey. But questions arise: what if the UK had chosen another path and have we chosen well? LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

To coincide with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the NHS, Lord Darzi has unveiled proposals and a new constitution aimed at driving quality, choice and accountability throughout the NHS. Radical changes include financial rewards linked to patient satisfaction. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Faced with a resurgence of tuberculosis, research efforts are being intensified to stop the spread of this disease. LOUISE FRAMPTON examines the latest progress.

Dr DAVID HOLMES and Dr RAJ PERSAD explain how biomedical materials are having a significant impact on surgery for Peyronie’s disease, pelvic organ prolapse and fistulas.

Fresh approaches to tackle disease caused by Clostridium difficile, the use of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal disorders, and systemic complications of gut infections were among subjects included in a British Society of Gastroenterology postgraduate course held in Birmingham recently. NICHOLAS MARSHALL reports.

Prostate Cancer deaths could rise following the latest NICE guidance, urologists have warned. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

Theatre floors and drapes soaked with blood are still a common sight, but is this an inevitable consequence of surgery or an unacceptable infection risk for patients and staff? LOUISE FRAMPTON talks to John Hardy, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Spire Healthcare, about a possible solution to assist a wider strategy for the prevention of infection.

The use of electrical stimulation to “kick start” the body’s natural healing processes is becoming more widely accepted in wound care practice. LOUISE FRAMPTON examines the latest development in the management of chronic ulcers.

Blood transfusion management in the NHS still requires more tightening, and further consideration must be given to blood conservation methods such as perioperative cell salvage. NICHOLAS MARSHALL reports.

Failure to respond to repeated requests for more nursing staff, “sloppy hygiene” practices among healthcare professionals too time-pressured to wash their hands between patients, and “dirty, overcrowded” wards, were among the major contributors to the 90 deaths from C. difficile at three large West Kent hospitals, a recent BBC 1 “Panorama” programme suggested. JONATHAN BAILLIE reports.