FEATURE ARTICLES

Stuart White and Emile Jubeli highlight the importance of Instructions for Use (IFUs) to ensure the effective decontamination of instruments, including those used in robot-assisted surgery.

Graham Johnson discusses the latest developments in inflammatory bowel disease management, including the potential for at-home therapeutic drug monitoring for patients on biologics, which could help reduce the reliance on hospital-based services.

What do sterile services departments need to know about the UK Medical Devices Regulations? Jack Walters provides an insight into the ‘UK MDR for Healthcare Organisations’ and discusses how this applies to the reprocessing of surgical instruments

Mr Keith Tucker, FRCS, Chairman of the Orthopaedic Data Evaluation Panel (ODEP) and the Beyond Compliance Advisory Group, discusses how registries can reduce the risk of fewer treatment options under the new medical device regulations. He explores the delicate balance needed to navigate the new regulatory landscape, while ensuring patient safety is prioritised.

Through the smarter use of emerging technologies, healthcare providers will be able to move services from generalised to personalised care delivery. Dr. John Sandham, Chair of EBME, discusses the implications for EBME departments of new technology acquisition, and how to implement an effective health technology plan.

Dedicated to reducing the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs), OneTogether recently hosted a conference at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham. High on the agenda was the potential of AI in predicting risk, the role of care bundles in SSI prevention, and the evidence-based resources available that can help guide clinical practice. Louise Frampton reports.

NHS England has published the key priorities for the NHS, during the year ahead, as part of new planning guidance. NHS Chief Executive, Amanda Pritchard describes the forecast for 2024/25 as ‘challenging’ but is optimistic that real improvement is possible – even in the toughest of circumstances.

World Hand Hygiene Day is taking place on 5 May, this year. With the topic high on the agenda, this month, Victor Adendorff explores the importance of hand hygiene and its challenges, and argues that to improve patient outcomes and the wellbeing of healthcare professionals, a step-change in hand hygiene strategy is required.

Ecolab, a global sustainability leader in water and hygiene, is reinforcing its commitment to protecting people and vital resources with updates to its Healthcare portfolio.

Kate Woodhead RGN DMS discusses the ongoing debate around the roles of Physician and Anaesthesia Associates, in the lead up to the GMC’s plans for regulation.

Daniel Collins warns that a lack of standardisation in the decontamination of endoscopes has led to varying standards at hospitals across the UK. He calls for a change of approach 
to reduce variation in standards and to ensure effective endoscope reprocessing.

Steve Bishop discusses the important role of steam quality in decontamination and tackles some key questions, including: how can we solve the ‘trilemma’ of service resilience, improved quality and decarbonisation challenges?

Challenging questions in decontamination, were high on the agenda at DAS 2024, including: ‘how can we safeguard the next generation of competent decontamination staff?’ Louise Frampton provides an overview of some of the key highlights.

Collaboration and partnerships are increasing, and the field of endoscopy is no exception. PENTAX Medical and UV Smart have joined forces to address the evolving demands 
of the sector, including the need for greener endoscopy.

An ageing population, tight labour markets, the ergonomic strain on employees, rising healthcare costs and sustainability goals are forcing hospitals to rethink the design 
of processes in the Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD). Robotic wrapping 
of medical instrument trays can contribute to a solution for these challenges, 
according to Mariska van der Vliet and Niels Welling

A recent study day, hosted by the Central Sterilising Club, focused on the theme ‘Dare 
to Defy the Dogma’, with the aim of challenging the ‘thinking and norms’ within the infection prevention and decontamination sectors. Louise Frampton reports.

According to a recent National Audit Office (NAO) report, the NHS is not making the 
most of its spending power to save money in purchasing medical equipment 
and consumables. It has continued to spend more than £3 billion outside 
NHS Supply Chain, its purpose-built procurement route.

As the healthcare sector faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, sterile services departments are debating the relative advantages of flexible sterile wrap versus reusable rigid containers. Choosing a sterile barrier system is a major decision and can only be made after weighing all the relevant factors. Karina Engels provides an insight into the key considerations.

This month, ‘Martha’s Rule’ is being rolled out in hospitals across England, enabling patients and families to seek an urgent review if their condition deteriorates.

Following the success of previous events, Knowlex is further looking at expanding 
the horizons of infection prevention and control (IPC) at the Infection Prevention and Control Conference, scheduled for April 23 - 24, at The National Conference Centre in Birmingham.