FEATURE ARTICLES

Hydrogel coatings and complex fracture care

Will Eardley and Helen Smith, from James Cook University Hospital, highlight the impact of implant related infections in orthopaedic surgery and the challenges around biofilm formation. In this article, they consider the role of hydrogel in preventing infections and share their valuable insights into selecting patients who could benefit.

Moving healthcare away from hospitals

Kate Woodhead RGN DMS discusses the drive to ‘make care closer to home’ and move healthcare away from hospitals where possible. A shift in focus from illness management, to wellness and prevention will be a key aspect of the Government’s ambition – so how can this be achieved?

COVER STORY: Saving lives by supporting the Sepsis Six

World Sepsis Day raises awareness of the thousands of lives that are lost due to this condition each year. A solution from Medstor aimed at supporting the Sepsis Six, which is proven to save lives, has the potential to speed up intervention and help to improve outcomes.

Reducing the NHS’s impact on the environment

Paul Chivers, an independent consultant, highlights the latest research which suggests that a new decontamination technology has the potential to “save thousands of Tonnes of CO2, and the equivalent of 115 swimming pools of water per year”.

How breath analysis could support gut health

Billy Boyle discusses the potential of breath analysis technology in delivering improvements in diagnosis and clinical monitoring, for patients with digestive diseases. In this article, he reveals how portable devices could revolutionise gastrointestinal healthcare in the future.

Supporting a flexible healthcare workforce

The UK’s health and social care system is facing significant challenges, including demographic shifts, increasing demand, financial constraints and workforce shortages. New approaches are needed to long-standing challenges, and we all have a part to play, argues Mark Underwood. He looks at how we can support a flexible health and social care workforce to ensure a better future.

Shining a light on the future of surgery

From advances in robot-assisted surgery, to artificial intelligence, the future of surgery is rapidly evolving. The latest innovations will be highlighted at this year’s Future Surgery event – alongside discussion of the latest trends and issues that are set to shape the direction of the surgical profession.

Calls to tackle ageing equipment in theatres

Ageing surgical equipment, particularly operating tables, can greatly affect medical outcomes, warns Sam Parry. This article discusses the importance of modernising equipment in the operating theatre and how this can improve efficiency and reduce the risk of downtime.

A great debate: sustainable decontamination

Does passionate idealism for sustainable decontamination threaten patient safety, or do we need to rethink the culture of single use? These were some of the questions debated at The Central Sterilising Club’s Annual Meeting.

Critical aspects of microbial control

This year, the Central Sterilising Club’s Annual Scientific Meeting brought to the fore the complex challenges around microbial control both in the healthcare environment and with medical devices. At the heart of the discussion was the need to balance patient safety with the need to protect our planet. Louise Frampton reports.

The importance of effectively managing swabs

Following the publication of the HSSIB report, Tracey Pavier-Grant describes how an effective risk management strategy for the disposal of swabs can help prevent Never Events and provide surgical teams with peace of mind.

Risk of surgical swabs being left inside patients

The Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) investigated the risk of unintentional ‘retained’ swabs after invasive procedures, having examined the case of a patient who had two swabs left in her chest, following serious heart surgery.

Martha’s Rule: implementation and key priorities

The Westminster Health Forum recently brought together stakeholders, clinical leaders and policymakers to discuss the implementation of Martha’s Rule, which aims to provide patients, families, carers and staff with 24/7 access to a rapid review, from a separate critical care team, when concerns arise about a patient’s deteriorating condition. Louise Frampton reports.

Driving patient and workforce safety

In the complex and ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the emphasis on patient and healthcare worker safety has become increasingly paramount. September’s World Patient Safety Day serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of these issues. To mark this occasion, we delve into the work of the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) Patient Safety Group.

Psychological factors and preventing SSIs

Dr. Richard Sherry, a Clinical Psychologist, proposes a change of approach in surgical care that considers psychological human factors in efforts to reduce surgical site infection and the risk of complications. He calls for a change in how human behaviour is considered – with emotional milieu being viewed as significant as the interaction of microbes.

Thought leaders highlight EBME challenges

Bridging the divide between IT and EBME will be vital for the digital future of the NHS, along with raising awareness of the profession to the next generation. These and other challenges were among the hot topics discussed at a thought leadership workshop at EBME Expo. Louise Frampton reports.

The challenges of surgical provision in Africa

Kate Woodhead highlights the surgical safety challenges experienced in African regions and shares her insights from a recent visit to Rwanda by Friends of African Nursing.

COVER STORY: Supporting healthcare to achieve Net Zero

Tork manufacturer, Essity, is dedicated to providing sustainable hygiene products and services in all its markets. Sales Manager Liam Mynes explains how the company is going that extra mile to achieve sustainable outcomes in healthcare.

Safeguarding patients across the ICS environment

With the expansion of virtual wards, what steps are being put in place to mitigate the clinical safety risks of spreading assets across multiple teams and organisations, and into the community? Steven Bruce explores the role of a hybrid asset tracking model to support efficient and safe care.

Harmonising availability, sterility, and sustainability

Jennifer Gregory argues that investment in single-use endoscopes could help tackle issues around meeting demand, in the wake of the backlog, as well as addressing concerns over infection transmission. She tackles potential concerns around sustainability and highlights some recycling pilot projects that are due to begin this year.

Latest Issues

IDSc Annual Conference 2024

Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel
26th - 27th November 2024

IV Forum 2024

Birmingham Conference & Events Centre (BCEC)
Wednesday 4th December 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Leeds

TBA, Leeds
7th December 2024

Decontamination and Sterilisation 2025 Conference and Exhibition

The National Conference Centre, Birmingham
11th February 2025

The Fifth Annual Operating Theatres Show 2025

Kia Oval, London
11th March 2025, 9:00am - 4:00pm

Infection Prevention and Control 2025 Conference and Exhibition

The National Conference Centre, Birmingham
29th – 30th April 2025