FEATURE ARTICLES

DELIA GEARY, medical laboratories transition project manager, UKAS, provides an insight into the importance of accreditation for point of care (POC) testing to ensure quality control.

SARAH LOVELL argues that interim managers can provide an injection of expertise within a fixed time period in order to deliver change, while ensuring a continued standard of patient safety and quality of care.

The IDSc annual conference and exhibition recently provided an insight into the latest decontamination challenges and innovation. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

JOHN SANDHAM CENG FIHEEM MIET explains why it is important to consider the questions raised relating to technology, learning, and relevant policies and processes.

Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, in the US, have found an association between obesity and the formation of blood clots in the veins of children and adolescents.

CHRIS RULE highlights the importance of the Clinical Evaluation Report in the wake of patient safety scandals involving medical implants.

A report by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has underlined the fragmented and complex picture of services many patients still face when being treated by the NHS.

Experts at Quality Improvement for Surgical Teams (QIST) discussed the impact of surgical site infection (SSI) on patients’ lives, as well as some of the various strategies for reducing the risks.

Procurement of theatre lighting requires careful consideration of a range of complex factors, to ensure efficient solutions that meet the demands of a wide range of surgical procedures.

JOAN KINGSLEY discusses the impact of a culture of fear and bullying, which has been highlighted by some high profile reports in recent years.

DR TIM SANDLE considers best practice in the use of chlorhexidine skin disinfection, prior to surgery, with the aim of reducing the risk of surgical site infection.

DAVID EDWARDS argues that the potential risks associated with reusable scopes could be avoided by using single-use devices.

CSJ reports on the latest award-winning initiatives that are driving innovation and best practice in infection prevention and control.

The SMART series of conferences, hosted by KARL STORZ, explore the question of ‘how can we do more for less?’ More importantly, how can we achieve this while maintaining patient safety?

SUZANNE CALLANDER looks at some of the successful infection prevention programmes introduced at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

Approaches to enhance recovery after surgery and prevention of surgical site infection were high on the agenda at the QIST conference, hosted by the Northumbria NHS Foundation Trust.

The O’Neil Review on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has highlighted the important role that point-of-care diagnostic devices could play in tackling AMR.

A new report argues that the NHS could cut emergency admission costs by £1 billion, through better use of medical technology.

KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS discusses the latest efforts to reduce surgical site infection. What progress has been achieved, in recent years, and is the evidence being put into practice?

MEDICA recently highlighted the latest innovation in medical technology – from wearable devices for patient monitoring, to an award-winning app to help overcome speech difficulties.