FEATURE ARTICLES

This year, the European Society of Cardiology held its annual congress online, highlighting the latest research aimed at advancing cardiovascular medicine. High on the agenda were the latest findings around risk factors for cardiac events.

Waiting times for medical admissions have been reduced by 34% at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust following the implementation of a new clinically-led digital solution.

The King’s Fund and Healthwatch England are jointly calling for urgent action to address hospital waiting lists and improve patients’ experiences of delays to treatment.

There is action being proposed to reduce the obesity burden on the NHS although, during the last 10 years, the political dimensions of management have been intermittent and fragmented.

Technologies such as surgical robots, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and MRI scanning are already revolutionising the way surgical care is delivered.

The House of Commons and Science and Technology Committee and Health and Social Care Committee have published a report on the lessons that must be learnt from the pandemic. The highs and lows are explored in detail.

Investment in surgical hubs, new technology and innovative ways of working will help tackle waiting lists and treat around 30% more elective care patients by 2023 to 2024, the Government has pledged.

Adrian Hall discusses the challenges of integration for operating theatres, both now and in the future, and explains the barriers that need to be overcome to increase adoption of smart technologies.

Adrian Gee-Turner and Gary Driscoll explain the advantages of e-water (electrolysed water/hypochlorous acid) in a wide range of healthcare applications.

Graham Johnson introduces the first non-invasive test for assessing the structure and function of the stomach in patients presenting with dyspepsia.

The elective surgery waiting list has continued to grow and millions of people are now waiting for a procedure in England. It is clear more capacity is needed to tackle the backlog, but where will this additional capacity come from?

The independent sector quickly stepped up in the wake of COVID-19, but how can we build on public/private relationships to assist the recovery of health services going forward?

Dr. Georgia Alevizopoulou offers guidance on the treatment of medical devices at the point of use, to ensure optimum decontamination.

Infection control precautions, including regular cleaning and decontamination, are vital to help reduce the burden of healthcare-associated infections. However, traditional disinfectants only offer limited residual activity.

New guidelines have been launched to improve cardiac care and treatment – from heart failure management and best practice in tackling valvular heart disease, to advice on managing cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronisation therapy

The Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) recently launched its ‘Making it Happen’ report.

Figures show there is a continued need to tackle never events in hospitals. At the same time healthcare providers are seeking ways to increase efficiency to reduce the longest ever waiting list for elective surgery as a result of the pandemic.

Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia was high on the agenda at the AfPP annual conference. Kevin Robinson, 3M Scientific Affairs Manager OR, EMEA, provided an insight onto some of the key challenges and best practice. Louise Frampton reports.

The European Society of Cardiology’s annual congress highlighted the importance of early diagnosis of cardiac issues, providing essential guidance on detecting common symptoms of cardiac arrest, as well as optimising treatment to improve outcomes.

As perioperative practitioners continue to face unprecedented pressures in the wake of the pandemic, coping strategies and building resilience will be crucial. Louise Frampton reports.