FEATURE ARTICLES

According to the recent 2010 annual Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) Report, transfusion-associated circulatory overload or ‘TACO’ is rapidly becoming a major cause of patient morbidity and mortality. Transfusion scientist, BARRY HILL, examines the background behind the condition.

Many healthcare workers continue to accept sharps injuries as an ‘inevitable’ part of their job and fail to attend mandatory training, so how can infection control teams begin to influence behaviour change?

At the annual Infection Prevention Society (IPS) conference, held in Bournemouth, a variety of key issues were discussed – including the need to tailor infection prevention strategies to target specific patient groups, such as children and neonates. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

As the role of the National Patient Safety Agency finally comes to an end, after ten years of tireless campaigning, what will be the agency’s legacy? NPSA director Suzette Woodward tells us: “Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it has happened.” LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Surgeons are calling for urgent action to address concerns over ‘significant variations in care’ experienced by patients undergoing emergency surgery.

At the recent ESC Congress 2011, held in Paris, the European Society of Cardiology highlighted the latest research from across Europe – including the eagerly awaited results of important trials, such as ARISTOTLE, Dal-VESSEL and RUBY, which investigated key therapeutic interventions.

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recently held its annual congress in Paris, attracting around 33,000 participants – making it the society’s largest congress to date. The Clinical Services Journal reports on some of the key issues and latest research discussed at the event.

ABDEL EZBIRI argues that air disinfection has been overlooked in the past as an infection control measure. He believes that it has an important role to play in helping to further reduce the rates of HCAIs.

KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS highlights some of the ways in which dignity can be improved in the delivery of care for elderly patients.

The Institute of Decontamination Sciences annual conference and exhibition will take place at the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool from 28-30 November.

What is the latest best practice on reducing surgical site infection in orthopaedic surgery? ANDREW BRISTER reports on the findings from a recent symposium.

The Clinical Services Journal reports from a recent SSI Symposium on some of the work being done to improve post Caesarian-section infection rates and surveilliance in the post-discharge period.

The Clinical Services Journal looks at the experiences encountered by an infection control nurse of using one of products developed as a result of the heavily publicised “Design Bugs Out” project.

SUZANNE CALLANDER reports on a relatively unknown knee replacement procedure which has been used to ensure a fast recovery time for a patient needing a bilateral knee replacement. The operation took place at Benenden Hospital.

LYNDA PETLEY explains the point-of-care pathology testing experiences encountered at Frimley Park Hospital, and highlights the approach taken by the hospital to ensure equipment is used to best advantage by clinicians.

Shortages of donor blood have been a problem for the NHS over recent years. However, revolutionary stem cell research being undertaken in a joint venture between the Scottish Blood Transfusion Service and key stakeholders could end future supply problems, as transfusion scientist BARRY HILL outlines.

KATE BEAUMONT discusses the key issues, contributory factors and care delivery problems in deterioration incidents – drawing on the Swiss Cheese Model – and considers how a systems improvement approach can be used to ensure patient safety.

JONATHAN PLUMB, nursing advisor at the MHRA, explains why it is so important to report all adverse incidents relating to medical devices.

Recent clinical trials continue to demonstrate the ability of electronic retinal implants to restore vision to patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

Growing demand for a wide range of surgical procedures, coupled with a strong belief in the advantages – both to surgeons and patients – of minimally invasive robot-assisted surgery, have seen the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust open a new twin operating theatre suite, equipped with the Midlands’ first da Vinci surgical robot, at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital. JONATHAN BAILLIE reports.