FEATURE ARTICLES

A new General Practice Forward View has been developed, which sets out plans to tackle some of the challenges facing Primary Care.

Kate Woodhead RGN DMS provides an insight into the latest reports on the state of Primary Care and the proposed solutions to the pressures facing GPs.

Suzanne Callander provides an insight into a quick and simple test that can help reduce healthcare-associated infection rates by ensuring that cleaning protocols are adhered to.

Louise Frampton recently visited the headquarters of Unisurge to gain an insight into the growing market for custom procedure packs and current strategies for delivering cost savings to hospitals across the UK.

Mike Sullivan explains how technological advances could make the monitoring of performance more accurate and help to identify gaps in provision before it is too late.

Strategies to improve protein detection and enhance patient safety were discussed at a recent conference hosted by the National Performance Advisory Group.

Suzanne Callander reports on currently available haemostatic devices and a proposed a new solution that is said to be able to achieve haemostasis without the need for compression.

A new protocol is boosting decontamination options for thermostatic mixing taps, which could help improve infection prevention.

The correct packaging of surgical instrument sets before sterilisation is vital to reduce the risk of surgical site infections. However, because there is no standard to define the number of layers of wrap that should be used, practice varies. Suzanne Callander reports.

A new innovation hub has recently opened to help innovators navigate their way through the medical devices development process.

Continued non-compliance with the EU Sharps Directive is putting staff at risk, according to the latest research.

A recent joint report from the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of General Practitioners highlights the benefits of patient-centred integrated care solutions.

The independent Review on Antimicrobial Resistance has highlighted the power of simple measures to prevent infections, as well as the potential role of vaccines.

Kate Woodhead RGN DMS provides an insight into efforts to apply learning from safety incidents, while tackling the culture of blame in the NHS.

Significant improvement is needed to ensure that patients receive the recommended treatment standards, according to the latest reports.

There is a wide variety of equipment and different technologies available today, which can be employed as part of pressure ulcer prevention strategies. Suzanne Callander looks at some of the devices available and how and why they are being used.

A preview of the topical issues and innovations to be highlighted at the EBME Seminar, taking place on 26 April 2016, in Milton Keynes.

Dr Beverley Almeida and Dr Liza McCann discuss the challenges associated with diagnosing rare autoinflammatory conditions, highlighting some of the ‘red flags’ that should raise suspicion and prompt referral.

Infection Prevention and Control 2016 recently highlighted the continued need for vigilance in the fight against healthcare associated infection, as well as the increasing threat posed by antimicrobial resistance. Louise Frampton reports.

The Test Bed programme will evaluate a combination of technologies with innovations in how services are delivered. The aim is to address the barriers that have constrained the impact of innovation.