FEATURE ARTICLES

In December 2014, Public Health England reported its latest data, Surveillance of Surgical Site Infections in NHS Hospitals in England 2013/14. The data shows that, between 2008/9 and 2013/14, there was a significant decrease in the inpatient/readmission SSI incidence for repair of neck of femur and reduction of long bone fracture, reaching 1% in each category in 2013/14.

The latest in the series of Reducing HCAIs conferences was recently hosted by Govtoday, at London’s Mermaid Theatre, tackling key issues in infection prevention and control. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Doctors who are the subject of complaints procedures or investigation by the General Medical Council experience high rates of serious depression and anxiety as well as suicidal thoughts, according to a new study. Four out of five doctors also reported changing the way they treat their patients as a result of either complaints against themselves, or observing a colleague go through a complaints process.

Patients report experiencing defensiveness and poor communication when raising concerns, while the complaints system is often said to be confusing and lacking in transparency. A blueprint has now been published which aims to help Trusts understand exactly what ‘good complaints handling’ looks like, from a patient’s perspective, and to drive improvement.

The College of Emergency Medicine recently launched its ‘STEP’ campaign aimed at tackling the pressures being faced in A&E, while NICE has also issued guidance to address concerns over safe staffing levels. As emergency departments struggle to meet Government targets, the King’s Fund has argued that this is part of a much wider problem experienced across the whole of the health service.

KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS provides an update on the latest code of practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.

From Narrow Band Imaging, to 3D visualisation for endoscopic surgery, technology innovation is helping surgeons to pioneer new surgical and diagnosistic approaches.

Several key healthcare topics were discussed at a recent Policy Forum for London, which focused on improving health, public health and social care outcomes in London. Integration of services was a key theme running through the event. SUZANNE CALLANDER reports.

Environmental cleaning plays a vital role in helping to reduce the transmission of healthcare-associated (HCAIs) infections. The Clinical Services Journal looks at one solution that is helping infection prevention and control (IPC) teams to monitor whether cleaning is being performed effectively.

ROISIN MOLLOY offers an insight into the latest advances in thermometry technology, and discusses its role in enabling hospitals to accurately measure vital signs, while ensuring effective infection control, patient comfort and supporting future goals of ‘Connected Health’.

The latest research and audit data show that progress is being achieved in terms of bowel cancer surgery and survival, but significant challenges remain in ensuring early diagnosis, prevention of emergency admissions, and variation across the UK.

JOTHI DORAISWAMY and ISAAC BABARINSA describe the use of intra-operative suprapubic ultrasound scanning in congenital or acquired abnormalities of the womb, persistent bleeding after previous uterine evacuation and unexpected deviation from normal.

Microbial contamination of the hospital environment is unavoidable and increasingly is becoming recognised as a key risk factor for healthcare-associated infection (HCAI).

When the new Alder Hey Children’s Hospital opens this year the hand sanitiser of choice throughout the facility will be an alcohol-free hand rub. The Clinical Services Journal looks at why the infection prevention and control team made this decision.

GLEN JOHNSON provides an insight into how ambulatory care can relieve pressure on the acute sector, while improving patient experience and quality of life for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Staff are still being put at risk of bloodborne viruses through sharps injury, according the latest ‘Eye of the Needle’ report.

Drawing on analysis of the latest data on GP services and the results of a separate survey of over 100 influential health and social care leaders, the Nuffield Trust argues that general practice is in need of both more money and significant reform to enable it to meet the challenges set out by NHS England in its recent Five Year Forward View.

At the Institute of Decontamination Sciences annual conference, held in Blackpool, endoscope decontamination was high on the agenda. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Healthcare is on the verge of a revolution, especially as miniaturised digital technology, more powerful computing and an attitude change converge and reshape the way we deal with health issues – even in times of austerity.

KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS reports on the latest thought-provoking Reith Lectures, which discuss key issues of patient care and safety.