FEATURE ARTICLES

The Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) scheme report for 2006 was published in November 2007 and is summarised in this article. The full report is available on the SHOT website or as a hard copy document from the SHOT office.

Measures taken within procurement services could be fundamental to achieving the Department of Health’s aims on patient safety. SHARON RODKIN, clinical consulting manager at Baxter Corporation, examines the evidence supporting a strategy of “purchasing for safety”.

LOUISE FRAMPTON examines current debate on whether the Government’s targets to improve quality and choice in maternity care can be achieved and the challenges being faced by those tasked with its delivery.

Two doctors developing a light treatment to cure cold sores claim they have discovered clinical benefits when using the infrared technology on patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

ADRIENNE MONTGOMERY, a lecturer at the National University of Ireland, Galway, examines the potential risks of errors when administering drugs and offers guidance on prevention.

Ultrasound Doppler technology can help surgeons avoid litigation by providing quality assurance in vascular reconstructive procedures. Yet adoption in the UK is lagging behind other countries, such as the US, where it is used as standard. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Waiting lists for bariatric surgery can be as long as three years, there are significant risks for patients and NHS funding remains a postcode lottery. But research suggests that surgery could offer a cost-effective treatment solution in many cases – and ultimately save lives. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

The use of hospital wristbands as a means of positive identification is a key factor in preventing adverse incidents to patients, but more needs to be done to improve the bands’ effectiveness. The Clinical Services Journal talks to a representative of the National Patient Safety Agency to examine the scope of the problem.

A trial of silver antimicrobial technology at Heartlands Hospital has shown that protected products can help reduce bacteria counts on unprotected products within their vicinity, leading to reduced levels of bacteria in the overall environment. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

At the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) annual conference, last autumn, medical professionals from Yorkshire Air Ambulance outlined their views on how pre-hospital care could be improved. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Trauma is a leading cause of death among young people, but the quality of care for severely injured patients shows serious deficiencies, according to the latest National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports on the findings.

A working day of FELICIA COX, senior nurse, pain management; and lead nurse specialist, critical care; Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust, London, is profiled by The Clinical Services Journal.

Many healthcare workers and patients who have a latex allergy remain exposed to an unacceptably high level of risk, and a large number of NHS Trusts are still failing to implement procedures and training to mitigate this. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Medical devices that could save thousands of lives and reduce NHS spending by millions of pounds are facing significant barriers to finding their way into standard clinical practice. Not only are Trusts missing out on increased efficiency gains but patients are also denied access to technologies that would speed up their recovery and improve outcomes. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

The Institute of Decontamination Sciences (IDSc) recently held a conference on decontamination focused on the latest guidelines and best practice. High on the agenda were issues such as the quality control of instruments and protection of patients from the risk of contracting CJD. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

When clinicians and other healthcare professionals are closely involved in the design and development of the facilities in which they work, numerous benefits are evident. NICHOLAS MARSHALL reports.

A national screening programme for aortic aneurysms could prevent over 3,000 premature deaths each year, but the Government is accused by the Vascular Society of “dragging its feet” over implementation of a diagnostic programme. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Risk assessment is not being given the attention it deserves, yet simple changes in working practices can be implemented that cost nothing, says FIONA WAKLEY RGN ONC CIEH Advanced Health and Safety, IOSH Managing Safely, CIEH Group Trainers cert.

Ultrasound guidance can provide a cost-effective approach to improving the success of regional anaesthesia, according to JON PEACOCK from SonoSite International.

The Government has outlined its vision for the “national” health service to become a “personal” health service. LOUISE FRAMPTON examines some of the latest proposals for reform.