FEATURE ARTICLES

The third report of the National Kidney Care Audit for Vascular Access has presented its findings from data for patients starting dialysis between the 1 January and 30 June 2010, providing information on the timely and appropriate surgery for permanent vascular access, based on the recommendations of the standards and quality requirements stated in the National Service Framework (NSF) for Renal Services.

The Clinical Services Journal reports on the first UK test site for a new endoscope management solution that allows users to remotely monitor the decontamination process in real-time.

The final report of the National Sentinel Stroke Audit has shown that care for patients with stroke is still improving in the UK. However, there are still some issues that do need to be addressed. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

COLIN HUNT argues that ATP bioluminescence has an important role to play in helping to cost-effectively verify that environmental surfaces are sufficiently clean in the healthcare environment.

The Infection Prevention Society annual conference and exhibition has become an important event in the calendar of healthcare professionals involved in infection prevention and control. This year the event will again be held in Bournemouth, from 19-21 September.

JAMES E C BEAVES BSc discusses the reasons for placing the additional burden of E. coli bacteraemia reporting on already stretched microbiology departments and looks at the tools available to make the identification of resistant E. coli bacteraemias quicker and easier.

DAVID BENNETT examines how a new range of biological grafts is adding a new dimension to soft tissue repair.

Point-of-care immunoassay cardiac and thrombosis testing in the A&E department at Stoke Mandeville Hospital is saving time and resources and improving patient care.

Following the recent NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) pledge, to increase organ donation by 50% by 2013, BARRY HILL examines the background to this move and the key role being played within it by specialist organ donation healthcare professionals.

As the NHS prepares itself for budget cuts – with £20 billion needing to be slashed over just a few years – the healthcare industry needs to find cost savings without affecting front-line services or staff morale.

Public confidence can be shaken in an instant by the wrong type of headline relating to contamination or infection. Over the past 10 years, major strides have been made in driving up and monitoring standards.

SUZANNE CALLANDER reviews a recent report commissioned by The King’s Fund, which examines the leadership and management skills needed to ensure that the NHS is able to meet the challenges that await it in the future.

SUZANNE CALLANDER reports on the Smart Solutions competition which is organised by TrusTECH, the North West NHS Innovation Hub.

KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS reports on the considerable changes to the Government Health and Social Care Bill that look set to follow the publication of the results of the Future Forums report.

Workplace bullying and harassment can have a devastating effect not only on the victim, but also on people connected to the victim. In the case of nursing staff, the effects can extend to patients and colleagues and can have an impact on the organisation as a whole.

The Clinical Services Journal reports on The Productive Ward: Releasing time to care programme and looks at its successful implementation at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, where is has helped to improve infection control rates and reduce medication errors.

The Clinical Services Journal takes a closer look at the controversial report Shedding the Pounds which looks at trends in obesity and the current provision of bariatric surgery in England.

The Clinical Services Journal reports on the need to better understand and record information pertaining to the patient experience, with a view to improving patient outcome and increasing satisfaction levels in line with Government ambitions.

In the final installment of his series, GUY HIRST, an expert in human factors training, looks at strategies from the aviation industry that could be transferred to the clinical environment to improve the working environment for healthcare staff and improve patient safety.

SUZANNE CALLANDER reviews a recently published report which calls for a renewed focus on the management and treatment of patients who have suffered a heart attack or episode of unstable angina.