COVER STORY

The perfect way to recover The perfect way to recover
Natural light is now acknowledged as an important aid to the recovery process. The new and innovative AmbientLine, from the medical technology company Trumpf, is based on this principle.

TOP INDUSTRY NEWS

Scanning centre opens in Sheffield Scanning centre opens in Sheffield
The Lord Mayor of Sheffield has officially opened a new PET/CT scanning centre at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield. The centre provides a permanent home for the latest in cutting-edge diagnostic technology to NHS patients in the city and the surrounding area.

Other News...

Nil by mouth should be ‘last resort’
“Nil by mouth” should be the last resort, rather than the first option, is the central message of a report published by the Royal College of Physicians and the British Society of Gastroenterology. Oral feeding difficulties and dilemmas: A guide to practical care, particularly towards the end of life has been prepared in response to continuing unease about the lack of consensus on when artificial nutrition and hydration is appropriate.
Mandatory VTE prevention will reduce deaths
The All-Party Parliamentary Thrombosis Group (APPTG) has welcomed the Department of Health’s (DH) decision to mandate venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention in the Operating Framework for the NHS in 2010/11. The All Party Group has been campaigning for its inclusion as a key step in reducing up to 25,000 annual avoidable deaths and saving the NHS over half a billion pounds a year.
Improving understanding of infection prevention
An annual conference, “Healthcare-associated Infections” is taking place on 11 March at Church House, Westminster – providing an update on the next steps to further reduce infection, including those related to the use of devices such as catheters, central lines, surgical site infections and pneumonias.
West Midlands holds key to meeting future healthcare challenges
The West Midlands is the beating heart of the country’s vibrant medical technology industry, according to Strength and Opportunity, a recent report funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, UK Trade and Investment, and the Department of Health.
Boost for breast cancer charity
Full Support Healthcare has partnered with Breast Cancer Care to launch a new range of surgical gowns and warm-up jackets branded “Think Pink”. Proceeds from the sale of the products will be donated to Breast Cancer Care and it is hoped that the initiative will raise thousands of pounds for the charity.
‘Human Factors’ week launched
As part of its campaign to help Trusts eliminate avoidable death and harm to patients, Patient Safety First is launching a “Human factors” focus week on the 1 February 2010. “Human factors” can include environmental, organisational or job factors, or the individual characteristics that influence behaviour at work.

PRODUCT NEWS

Fighting VAP in critical care
Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is a growing concern in modern hospital environments. Many recent studies document that it is possible to significantly reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia by performing basic patient hygiene.
Blood bag tag meets MHRA demands
In response to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) requirement of no extra adhesive labels on blood bags, UK-based BRENMOOR has launched a product that instantly solves the issues raised by the MHRA, as well as helping to remove the risk of identification errors.
Life-saving coronary technology
A potentially life-saving solution to narrowing coronary arteries has been launched by B. BRAUN MEDICAL. The drug-delivering balloon, called SeQuent Please, is a new treatment option with significant benefits.
Mitral valve retractor system
YORK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES now supplies the new Bolling Mitral Valve Retractor System, from retractor specialist Thompson Surgical Instruments.
Rotational cleaning and disinfection regime
Two new sterile rotational biocides are available to complement the Stericlean denatured ethanol and isopropyl alcohol sprays, from HELAPET.
Portable ultrasound
ROYAL PHILIPS ELECTRONICS has launched a new release of its premium portable ultrasound system to address the needs of a wide range of applications including radiology, vascular, women’s health, emergency medicine, regional anesthesia, and critical care.
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FEATURE ARTICLE

Potential for robotic revolution explored
An exhibition at the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons recently examined the question: “Are we on the edge of a robot revolution in medicine?” LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

PRODUCT ARTICLE

Bio-decontamination solution
STERIS has launched the BioGienie, an innovative hydrogen peroxide disinfectant delivery system specifically designed to provide safe and effective biodecontamination in the clinical setting.