FEATURE ARTICLES

In this article, Helen Peat and James Cottam highlight a crucial need for fast and efficient diagnostic tests to accurately differentiate between respiratory illnesses. Point of care (POC) PCR testing could play a central role in enabling healthcare providers to respond quickly to unpredictable surges in respiratory cases, aiding infection control and contributing to better patient outcomes.

In this article, the Association of British HealthTech Industries’ Jonathan Evans explores the immense potential of HealthTech to not only drive sustainability and economic growth, but also to address pressing healthcare challenges through innovation and collaboration.

Getinge’s new President for the UK and Ireland, Amy Rothwell, speaks to CSJ about the exciting developments taking place in the UK to support the healthcare sector with education and innovation, with the aim of helping healthcare professionals to improve efficiency and patient outcomes.

Following concerns over infections arising from the use of ultrasound probes, there has been an increased focus on disinfection methods. A study, by the University of New South Wales, has investigated the efficacy of UVC high-level disinfection in reducing contamination.

An investigation has revealed that a culture of fear and discrimination is preventing temporary staff from raising concerns over safety. So how can we strive to address a more open culture of learning, where staff feel safe to speak up?

Women with long term conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome are often left feeling abandoned and alone. Our healthcare system could do so much more to recognise – and therefore mitigate – their suffering. Dr. Anne Connolly discusses the latest advances in diagnosis and the need for better guidance.

Walter Danker & Gerard Llanos discuss the burden of surgical bleeding, the importance of haemostatic agents and how management of surgical bleeding can be improved.

Dr. Jonathan Byrne, UK Lead of the UK’s Valve for Life programme and a Consultant Cardiologist at King’s College Hospital, warns that heart disease is frequently underestimated and misdiagnosed in women. In this article, he highlights the key issues and the gender disparities in UK heart care services.

More than 39 million deaths from antibiotic-resistant infections are predicted between now and 2050, according to the latest analysis. This month, World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week seeks to raise awareness of this existential threat to humankind. So, what action must be taken on a national and global level?

There is a need for targeted, fast and reliable diagnostics at the point of patient care to identify curable precancerous disease stages that enable timely treatment and better patient outcomes for patients with gastric cancer. Dr. Cinzia Papadia, a Consultant Gastroenterologist at Barts Health NHS Trust and Honorary Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, discusses the use of a first-line case selection tool for gastric cancer risk.

Peter Søgaard considers how digital technology could be harnessed to reduce admissions and improve rehabilitation, with the aim of providing improved patient care and reduced pressures on the acute sector.

Gloves are commonly over-used in healthcare settings, and an incorrect choice of gloves can result in important consequences, such as increased risk of cross-transmission, exposure of healthcare providers to increased risk, or increased cost and waste. Jon Otter highlights some key considerations and best practice to ensure optimum safety.

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.