FEATURE ARTICLES

The use of active warming devices is increasingly being viewed as another link in a chain of strategies to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs), says patient temperature management system provider Arizant.

Solutions to a variety of perioperative issues raised at this year’s AfPP Congress can be found at an exhibition taking place in tandem at Harrogate (8-11 October). This showcase will give an insight into the latest clinical advances and services aimed at improving patient care.

The 43rd Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) annual congress and exhibition (8-11 October 2007, Harrogate International Centre) will examine the latest developments in perioperative care, while providing a special focus on professional development.

In 1999, patients waited for up to two years for coronary bypass surgery – now, the wait is no more than three months. Professor ROGER BOYLE CBE, National Director for Heart Disease and Stroke, reflects on how treatment of heart disease has improved over the past decade.

Factors involved in establishing excellence in clinical teamworking are explored by Achiive, a learning and development consultancy.

The Pain Research Symposium, which recently took place at Brunel University, provided an insight into the psychological, pathological and social issues relating to pain. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Research shows that 80% of all urinary tract infections can be traced to in-dwelling urinary catheters. DAVID TUCKER, assistant director for control of infection at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, explains how the risk can be reduced.

Many prostate cancer patients are being denied a therapy which is proven to minimise the devastating side-effects associated with other treatments. Quality of life and patient choice need to be given greater consideration, according to the Prostate Brachytherapy Advisory Group. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

The Code of Practice in the Health Act 2006 will assist NHS organisations plan and implement how they can prevent and control healthcare associated infections. Adherence to the code should yield significant benefits, reports KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS, technical editor of The Clinical Services Journal.

Picture Archiving and Communication Systems open up the possibility of remote diagnosis, as well as facilitating the sharing of patient information between clinicians, departments and even across Trusts. LOUISE FRAMPTON examines the impact the technology is having on Trusts throughout the UK.

DEBBIE LEE RN, DipN, CIM, MBA, director of Healthcare Standards International, reviews technology applications that can be a boon for nurses and their patients.

The Patients Association has come a long way since it was established over 40 years ago in response to one individual patient’s concern over treatment. The Clinical Services Journal talks to The Patients Association spokesperson KATHERINE MURPHY about some of the key issues the organisation is now tackling.

Through programmes of surgical procedures and other forms of assistance, the charity Mercy Ships is able to change many lives for the better. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

The Association for Perioperative Practice recently held a surgical forum at the Royal College of Surgeons – covering subjects ranging from infection risks to the legal implications of EU standards for the procurement of medical devices. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports on some event highlights.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is working on new guidelines aimed at protecting patient safety and public health. These range from the prevention of premature deaths after a heart attack, to a traffic light system for assessing the right approach to dealing with children with fevers.

The working culture and communications of healthcare delivery teams influence patient safety and must be given appropriate attention, says KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS.

With the introduction of round-the-clock surgery for elective procedures possibly imminent, The Clinical Services Journal examines its implications for staff and patients.

Effects of a flu pandemic, devices for blood pressure measurement, ECG use, patient transportation, anaesthesia, and sleep disordered breathing were subjects examined at this year’s Completing the Picture event – the sixth 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.

LES LINDSAY, chairman of the British Healthcare Trades Association, talks to The Clinical Services Journal about the far-reaching role of the organisation, and outlines some serious concerns.

This year, the annual Infection Control Nurses Association conference will evaluate individual and organisational challenges to infection prevention and control, as well as outlining the solutions. CLAIRE KILPATRICK, head of the scientific programme committee, examines issues the conference will address.