Clinical Services Journal

Latest:

NHS heading for crisis point, warns RCN

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has issued a warning that the NHS “is heading for crisis point”, with 56,058 NHS positions being axed across the UK.

Other News

	Training support for healthcare assistants New measures to support the training standards of healthcare assistants have been unveiled by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.
	Increase in lung cancer surgery A new audit from the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery (SCTS) has revealed that the number of lung cancer patients benefiting from life-saving surgery has increased by 60%, while the operative mortality rate has halved in recent years.
	More senior doctors needed in A&E at weekends and during the night Dr Foster recently published its latest annual hospital guide, the main focus of which was on weekend staffing in A&E departments. The report has identified the fact that ‘being admitted to hospital at weekends is risky’.

Time-saving sterilising solution	Faster diabetes testing
Better suturing	New ultrasound platforms arrive
Disposable curtains assist infection control	Dealing with vials and ampoules

Features

NICE approval for life-extending therapy

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.

	HCAI improvement: the journey 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.
	Minimising risk of iatrogenic CJD The potential risk of patient-to-patient infection, from contaminated surgical instruments, was recently discussed at the annual conference of the Institute of Decontamination Sciences (IDSc). LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.
	Improving quality and reducing costs The Clinical Services Journal reports on the achievements and challenges that faced healthcare teams taking part in the Shine programme, which set the task of finding new ways to deliver services that reduce costs while improving quality.

HCAI improvement: the journey	Success for home haemodialysis project
Improving hip fracture care	Innovation and risk assessment discussed
Minimising risk of iatrogenic CJD	Managing rule breaking in clinical practice

Product Spotlight

Service and validation solution

AUDERE MEDICAL SERVICES provides an independent service and validation solution for multi-manufacturer decontamination equipment. All works undertaken by the company are compliant to relevant HTM’s.

MOLNLYCKE Sharps Workshop Explains New EU Directive

Over 1 million needlestick injuries are estimated to occur in the European Union every year, with 100,000 of these estimated within the UK. Needlestick injuries are one of the most common and serious risks to healthcare workers. The EU Sharps Directive aims to prevent many of these avoidable injuries.

PVC-free tracheostomy mask

INTERSURGICAL aims to reduce the environmental impact of its products and processes. This has resulted in a search for alternative materials to PVC. The Adult Eco Tracheostomy mask is the latest addition to its range of low environmental impact products.

LATEST ISSUE

COVER STORY

A truly single-use tourniquet cuff
In all areas of healthcare, the challenge of minimising the risk of cross infection has been a key driver for product development and in the product choices made by healthcare professionals.

DIARY EVENTS

British Society of Gastroenterology 2nd Clinical Update Meeting in conjunction with the British Association for the Study of the Liver
East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham
Wednesday 15 February 2012
More...

Waterborne Infection Master Class
Nottingham
1 March 2012
More...

Waterborne Infection Master Class
Vinopolis, London
2 March 2012
More...

PRODUCT PROFILE

Combat waterborne pathogens
The best way to combat waterborne pathogens is to treat with heat – this is why hot water services in hospitals are typically circulated above 60°C and the cold water is maintained <20°C where Legionella is dormant.