FEATURE ARTICLES

Improvement in interdisciplinary working in the perioperative environment is essential and old habits and ways of thinking have to be abandoned, says SINEAD HAHESSY, lecturer, National University of Ireland.

The importance of gender-specific medical research is emphasised by CHRISTINA ANNÉ who, in this article, examines three conditions affecting women.

The contribution of treatment centres to the reshaping of healthcare delivery is noted by JOHN BEESLEY.

The use of disposable curtains is providing distinct benefits in a busy accident and emergency department in the north east of England. NICHOLAS MARSHALL reports.

According to recent guidelines, the NHS, patients and industry can all benefit from barcode technology, which has the potential not only to increase patient safety, but also to improve efficiency and save the NHS millions of pounds through fewer bed days. The Clinical Services Journal investigates.

As the cost of settling legal claims looks set to rise, CSJ looks at one organisation that aims to offer support to its members.

The use of negative pressure wound therapy to assist in healing wounds has many clinical benefits. Examples of what can be achieved are provided in three case studies. Report by HELENA FOSTER RGN, group clinical manager, Talley Group.

Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome present in a number of specialities, and the way forward for treatment depends on which aspect of the disorder is causing most distress, explains Dr RUTH AYLING.

The scene is set for significant further reductions in waiting times for patients who need treatment. The Clinical Services Journal takes a look at the implications of this on NHS staff and procedures.

To ensure bladder ultrasound imaging is safe and clinically advantageous, it must be conducted by appropriately trained practitioners, emphasises SUE ALLISON.

A review of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) issues by GILLIAN TURNER, national CJD co-ordinator, CJD Support Network.

The latest decontamination issues concerning the regulation and reprocessing of endoscopy equipment were focused on at a recent study day organised by the Schülke & Mayr Foundation. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

A far-reaching vision entailing major change in the way in which accident and emergency services are provided in England has been unveiled by the Government. Factors behind the requirement for change include advances in medical technology and adjustments in working practice. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS reports on an initiative to increase safety in surgery worldwide.

The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement has launched a second version of the No Delays Achiever, a web-based tool created to help NHS organisations achieve the Government objective of 18 weeks from referral to treatment.

Professor Sir JOHN LILLEYMAN is retiring from his post as medical director of the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA), drawing to a close what has been a remarkable career in medicine. The Clinical Services Journal recently asked Sir John about his views on patient safety issues in general.

The perioperative area is a combustion-friendly environment and surgical fire is always a risk to patients and staff. ADRIENNE MONTGOMERY investigates the potential causes of fire and how it can be prevented in the surgical environment.

Issues involved in the maintenance of healthcare workers’ hand hygiene and hand care are explored by KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS.

Community-acquired MRSA is a problem that is increasingly causing problems for hospitals, but same-day polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing can offer significant assistance, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, has found.

Artificially created melatonin-supressing blue light can improve patient outcomes and invigorate healthcare staff. NICHOLAS MARSHALL reports.