FEATURE ARTICLES

Tackling infections in the healthcare setting needs common sense, a clear pursuit of good hygiene practice, sound product purchasing and the maintenance of a collective responsibility, a specially convened meeting in Staffordshire determined. NICHOLAS MARSHALL reports.

The need for the clinical professions to be closely involved in the driving forward of effective utilisation of information technology is underlined in a British Computer Society’s Health Informatics Forum Strategic Panel report. The Clinical Services Journal reviews the document.

Medical speech recognition has come a long way since its early days. What was originally nice-to-have software for technology-loving healthcare professionals has now become an indispensable working tool that physicians and medical transcriptionists use to make essential gains in efficiency and productivity, thereby reducing report turn-around times and improving patient care. CSJ reports.

The healthcare setting remains complex and at times chaotic. Adding e-health into this mix is proving to be an arduous process. DEBBIE LEE RN DipN CIM MBA looks into some of the reasons why this continues to be the case.

JANE REID, chair of the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP), talks to The Clinical Services Journal about issues the organisation faces and how it is committed, through supporting members, to furthering the delivery of quality patient care and safety.

A clinical trial may provide additional validation for the use of a novel molecular image agent in oncology applications. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

The role of design in reducing adverse incidents and medical errors within the NHS is vital. COLUM LOWE, head of design and human factors, National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA), examines the route to improvement.

Eight cases of hospital-associated transmission of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) positive community-associated MRSA have been reported in the West Midlands. But what exactly is this bug and how can it best be dealt with? CSJ reports.

The recently published operating framework for the NHS in England sets out the priorities for the year ahead. The Clinical Services Journal reports on the significant changes.

Dr ELOISE CARR explores the effect of postoperative pain on patient outcomes following surgery. The second part of this article will be published in the March 2007 edition of The Clinical Services Journal.

New NICE obesity guidelines aim to effect change both inside and outside the NHS. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

The Clinical Services Journal reports on research activity concerned with three areas: endoscopy practice, eczema in children, and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) effectiveness for women who are pregnant.

Medical devices are a major feature of today’s healthcare delivery, but what happens if their use adversely affects the patients they are designed to help? JOHN BEESLEY looks at the regulations controlling the use of such devices and how best to comply with them.

KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS, technical editor of The Clinical Services Journal, reviews significant items of healthcare sector news.

New guidance from NCAS aims to restore doctors and dentists to safe professional practice following a period of absence.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) affect tens of thousands of patients in Europe annually, posing a massive drain on hospital budgeting. This year’s president of the Surgical Infection Society of Europe, Prof Dr REINHOLD FÜGGER, discusses causes, impact, and the use of InteguSeal, a new microbial sealant that could significantly reduce occurrence.

CSJ examines some recent studies comparing the effect of urine meter design on the risk of CAUTI, and takes a look into the practical use of a new model, the Unometer Safeti.

Following the licensing of rituximab for maintenance therapy NHL and first-line treatment, CSJ explores what this means for the 60,000 patients living with the condition.

Following the launch of the Health and Safety Executive’s management standards for work-related stress, BRIAN NATION reports on a recent update for representative bodies on plans for the next phase.

Healthcare watchdog, the Healthcare Commission, recently called for further improvements in NHS diagnostic services, following a national review that highlighted shortfalls in the area. In the same month, the Commission also urged a step up in efforts to improve the prescribing and dispensing of medicines.