FEATURE ARTICLES

Dr. Tim Sandle discusses some of the common issues encountered in the sterilisation of surgical instruments, using autoclave technologies. He argues that to make a thorough evaluation of sterilisation, reliance cannot be restricted to chemical or biological indicators, and a complete understanding of hazards and physical operating parameters is required.

The biggest changes in decades, affecting the decontamination sector, will be revealed and explored at this year’s IDSc annual conference – from the latest plans for registration to a new competency framework. IDSc Chair, Trevor Garcia explains why attending this year’s event is so important.

Experts at the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) conference discussed the scale of the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis, hidden ways in which healthcare is contributing to the problem, and actions that could be taken. Louise Frampton reports on the issues raised, as part of CSJ’s focus on World AMR Awareness Week, taking place 18-24 November.

Examination gloves are a critical tool in mitigating the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and preventing cross-contamination. ARKA highlights the latest insights into the vital role they have in maximising safety.

Kate Woodhead considers the actions needed to tackle an uneven playing field in health and to shift the emphasis on to prevention. She looks at some of the key ambitions that have been outlined by NHSE, the Government and Integrated Care Boards, to tackle health inequalities.

Daan Hoek examines the impact of UV-C light technology in ultrasound probe reprocessing, focusing on how it enhances patient and staff safety. He explains how it contributes to more effective infection control measures, while providing a balance between compliance and sustainability.

Despite the well-documented relationship between microbiological air quality and deep infection rates in joint replacement surgery, routine monitoring of operating theatres during use is still not standard practice. Wan Li Low provides an insight into a pilot study and national audit on air quality in operating theatres, and considers the best approach to drive improvement.

Sandra Quinn, Project Lead for Surgical Site Infection Surveillance, at the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, examines the rise in Caesarean births, why Caesarean section SSIs are common, and considers some measures which could help reduce infection rates.

There is an increasing focus on the need to address the infection risk posed by bioaerosols in healthcare settings. Sanathoi Bachaspatimayum looks at how hospitals can balance infection prevention and sustainability, using effective air filtration.

Global Clinical Engineering Day is a worldwide celebration which recognises the contributions of clinical engineers to healthcare and is celebrated on 21 October. In this Q&A, the Chair of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) Clinical Engineering Special Interest Group, Dr. Victoria Kidgell, shares her insights.

Value-based healthcare in the NHS aims to reduce unwarranted variations, improve patient outcomes, optimise resource use and allocation, and minimise costs. Mary Muir provides an insight into the key considerations required to ensure equitable and sustainable healthcare, while improving the experience and outcomes for patients.

Martha Mackenzie looks at the history of point of care testing in women’s health and how diagnostics continues to advance and evolve to meet the needs of the female population.

What will the future hold for robotic-assisted surgery; how is the robotic landscape evolving; and what technologies are coming to the fore? CSJ takes a look at current trends and some of the latest developments in the sector.

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.

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?

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.

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”.

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.

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.

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.