FEATURE ARTICLES

Almost 300 delegates attended the annual scientific meeting of UK NEQAS for Blood Coagulation, held at Sheffield Hallam University Conference Centre. PETER COTTON reports.

The issue of regulation for new techniques and technologies went under the spotlight at a seminar, hosted by the Royal College of Surgeons. SUZANNE CALLANDER reports on the concerns voiced by surgeons and doctors regarding the approvals process for medical devices.

At the 2011 King’s Fund Annual Conference, which took place in November, a keynote panel session focused on quality challenges, and how quality can be improved in the health system. The panel discussed the barriers to, and facilitators of, high-quality, patient-centred care.

A growing body of evidence suggests that technology has an important role to play in monitoring hand hygiene performance, resulting in dramatic increases in compliance. Contaminated healthcare workers’ hands continue to play a major role in transmitting healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs).

RUTH EVANS, director of the Patient Experience Network, considers ‘what makes a good patient experience?’ She emphasises the importance of recognising and sharing examples of best practice to drive improvement throughout the health service.

Professor David Sanders warns that many patients with Coeliac disease continue to go undiagnosed, putting them at increased risk of cancer and other serious complications. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS looks at the latest initiatives announced by the Government, aimed at improving quality of care, following a series of damning reports on failures in nursing standards.

FDA reports show there has been a dramatic increase in MRI related incidents since 2004. With accidents on the rise, experts are calling for mandatory incident reporting and a national implant database, combined with improved screening.

SUZANNE CALLANDER spoke to a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Leicester about the development of a non-invasive disease detection facility that is currently being trialled in the A&E department of Leicester Royal Infirmary.

An improvement campaign in Wales is transforming care for patients – making healthcare safer and increasing satisfaction. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

Lower NHS budgets do not mean that investment in technology should stop, according to IAN JACKSON, managing director of Imerja.

Friends of African Nursing, a UK based charity, is helping nurses in developing countries to enhance their leadership skills, build their confidence and develop effective teams. KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS reports.

The drive for the development and spread of innovation in the health service has put the issue of regulation for new techniques and technologies under the spotlight.

A recent report from the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death has found that only half of high-risk surgical patients received good care in UK hospitals. The Clinical Services Journal looks at the report and highlights the steps needed to address the problems identified.

As the Health and Safety Executive prepares for the implementation of the EU Sharps Directive, The Clinical Services Journal, speaks to GRAHAM JOHNSON RSCPHN (OH), about the legal implications for Trusts and healthcare employees.

The latest research from UCLH highlights the environment as a potential source of microorganisms and emphasises the importance of hand hygiene when leaving the patient zone and after touching the near-patient environment. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

The NHS could learn many valuable lessons from the latest advances in the transfusion support of massive haemorrhage within the military arena. Biomedical scientist, BARRY HILL reports.

NICE has now issued full guidance on selective internal radiation therapy for non-resectable colorectal metastases in the liver, which should lead to greater NHS patient access to this life-extending therapy. SUZANNE CALLANDER reports.

At a healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) symposium, sponsored by ASP and dedicated to looking at novel approaches to reducing HCAIs, Diane Wake, executive director of nursing and operations/director of infection prevention and control at The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, spoke about the Trust’s HCAI improvement journey.SUZANNE CALLANDER reports.

A recent NCEPOD study reviewed the organisational and clinical aspects of children’s surgery in the UK today. It concluded that clinical network improvements are required to further improve the quality of care for children undergoing surgery.