FEATURE ARTICLES

There must be a focus on providing a culture in hospitals where it is safe for patients and staff to speak out, without fear, and where they will be heard, says KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS.

Recent developments at Barts and The London NHS Trust are expected to save lives by improving cardiac care. Investment in the latest state-of-the-art technology and rapid access to cardiology services are among the key components of the Trust’s strategy. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

In view of a recent Health and Safety Executive survey, revealing that work-related violence is increasing, The Clinical Services Journal examines the implications for hospitals and healthcare staff.

Specialist diabetes nurses from the FORUM FOR INJECTION TECHNIQUE are raising awareness of the importance of optimising glycaemic control. In this article, the Forum provides a preview of new UK recommendations.

HIS 2010 takes place every four years and is the major international conference focusing on infection control. From prevention strategies, epidemiology and surveillance, to decontamination and new technologies, the conference will examine the hottest topics affecting health organisations across the globe.

KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS, technical editor of The Clinical Services Journal, reviews significant items of healthcare sector news.

ZOË ELKINS, head of care at The Good Care Group, argues that fresh thought must be given to caring for individuals with dementia admitted to hospital.

A symposium, sponsored by Welch Allyn, recently discussed the latest developments in medical device technology, affecting the biomedical engineering sector, while celebrating the important contribution that biomedical engineers have to offer in improving efficiency, ensuring patient safety and delivering savings for Trusts. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

An audience of clinicians, anaesthetists, surgeons, biomedical scientists and transfusion practitioners recently assembled at the SHOT Symposium, held in Manchester, to hear the eagerly awaited findings and recommendations of the latest report on serious hazards in transfusion.

Some 3,000 neurologists recently gathered at the annual meeting of the European Neurological Society, held in Berlin, to discuss the latest research and advances in the field of neurology – including the development of a “brain-computer interface” to enable coma patients to communicate with the outside world. The Clinical Services Journal reports.

The results of the Care Quality Commission’s 2009 NHS Inpatient Survey show that significant progress has been achieved in a number of areas, with an increase in the number of people who rated their care as “excellent”.

The financial burden of SSIs on the health service could be greater than expected, as rigorous surveillance uncovers a much higher rate of infection. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Dr DANIEL IVENS, FRCP, consultant at the Marlborough Genitourinary Medicine Clinic, Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, discusses the importance of forming strategic planning to encourage increased screening of young adults.

High on the agenda at the Association for Perioperative Practice’s annual Congress will be some challenging topics for discussion – including the lessons learned from Mid-Staffordshire, eradicating bullying in the workplace and empowering staff to speak up when safety is compromised.

A discernible shift of emphasis towards greater use of imaging for the early management of prostate cancer, along with a drive to reduce over-treatment, was highlighted at a recent meeting of leading researchers and clinical practitioners. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS highlights the importance of maintaining normothermia, in patients undergoing surgery, in order to improve outcomes.

Perhaps one of the most contentious issues facing the medical profession today is that of end of life care. With recent high-profile assisted suicide cases, the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have both sought to clarify the legal and professional position of doctors in this ethical minefield. MATTHEW BAILEY reports.

Increased demand for endoscopy services, coupled with heightened awareness of infection prevention, has prompted new standards for washer-disinfectors and a drive to ensure tighter process control during reprocessing. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Experts recently highlighted the importance of assessing both technical and non-technical skills in colonoscopy, at the British Society of Gastroenterology’s annual conference, held in Liverpool. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

What can cardiovascular monitoring contribute to delivering optimum critical care and what is the current evidence available? THE CLINICAL SERVICES JOURNAL reports.