FEATURE ARTICLES

Failed attempts to introduce speech recognition technology in radiology departments have led to scepticism, but successful projects show that significant cost savings can be achieved, while improving patient care. The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has reported significant benefits and is now expanding the technology from the radiology department into other clinical areas. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

New data suggests that the NHS has a long way to go before compliance with the Working Times Directive is achieved. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

The first national guideline for the emergency use of oxygen in adults has been published, with the aim of simplifying oxygen delivery and better protecting acutely ill patients. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

VAL O’BRIEN who will be appointed as the new chairman of The Institute of Decontamination Sciences, at the IDSc annual conference and exhibition, explains the importance of staying abreast of the latest developments in decontamination, to address the challenges faced by sterile services.

The Clinical Services Journal examines the contribution of one of the world’s leading humanitarian assistance organisations and looks at how UK healthcare professionals are making a major difference to the lives of populations in distress across the globe.

Significant progress has been achieved in reducing rates of MRSA, but speakers at this year’s Infection Prevention Society conference warned that there is no room for complacency – figures on surgical site infections reveal only the tip of the iceberg, while infection prevention procedures when administering IV therapy, as well as anaesthesia, are not being taken seriously. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

WENDIE LOVE argues that the healthcare sector should no longer compromise when it comes to the decontamination of flexible endoscopes – even if emergency situations arise.

In the last year, there were approximately 5,470 new clinical negligence claims reported to the NHS Litigation Authority.1 Being asked for comments or information to assist a Trust to defend such a claim can be a daunting experience. ANDREW CRAGGS, partner at Hill Dickinson LLP, provides a useful background to clinical negligence claims.

A number of speakers at this year’s Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) Congress pointed out that high-risk industries have made significant advances towards cultural improvements, focusing on systems change, human factors and team building. The lessons learned can be applied to everyday medical practices, according to ALLAN GOLDMAN, the lead consultant in cardiac critical care and head of ECMO, at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

At this year’s Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) Congress, only 10% of an audience of perioperative practitioners said they believed safety was the highest priority at their Trust, while surgery was described by one speaker as being “as risky as bungee jumping”. Changing the culture of organisations will no doubt prove challenging, but efforts to improve safety are now gaining momentum LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

This year’s Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) Congress and Exhibition took place at Harrogate, last month, attracting top leaders in healthcare – including the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, as well as champions of patient safety such as entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson. KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS gives a flavour of what the event had to offer.

MARK HALL, a consultant cardiologist at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, describes his experience of using a new generation of implantable cardioverter defibrillators – reporting advantages in device safety, size and longevity.

In the past, there have been concerns over the standards of decontamination within hospitals, yet funding for training has often been considered a low priority. The Clinical Services Journal speaks to specialist managers at Eastwood Park and in the NHS about the need to provide structured training to address the skills gap.

Despite significant improvements in the delivery of emergency care, the Healthcare Commission has found that the public often does not know which services to use. The needs of those with disabilities in A&E are being ignored, while the planning of services and the monitoring of performance was poorly managed in 40% of PCTs. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

Seven hospitals have been chosen to assess a number of infection prevention and control technologies, under a programme aimed at obtaining evidence on their efficacy. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

More than 3,000 experts from around the world gathered at the 6th World Stroke Congress, in Vienna, to discuss current trends and strategies in the field of stroke prevention and treatment. Subjects ranged from the effectiveness and safety of decompressive hemicraniectomy, to a possible new thrombolysis agent in acute ischaemic stroke. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

KATE WOODHEAD RGN, DMS, technical editor of The Clinical Services Journal, and chairman of Friends of African Nursing, provides an insight into one of the ways in which she spends her spare time.

A coroner’s inquest into the death of a patient poses complex challenges for any NHS organisation. These are likely to intensify with the advent of the Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act 2007 which came into force in April this year. JOANNA TREWIN, a partner at legal firm Hill Dickinson LLP, provides guidance for those who may become involved in an inquest as a witness or as a manager liaising with the coroner’s office.

BERYL DE SOUZA and KAUSHIK CHAKRABARTY provide an insight into the many sub-specialties within the pioneering field of plastic surgery and discuss its origins and development.

A hands-free, wireless system is improving communications, and ultimately patient care, at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. At the Royal Victoria Hospital, an estimated 4,000 hours of wasted time are being saved annually within the emergency department alone. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.