RECENT FEATURE ARTICLES
Improving outcomes in TOE probe reprocessing
Although procedures involving transesophageal (TOE) ultrasound probes are associated with a low rate of patient infection, they can be a potential source of infection from contaminated equipment.- Feature
Moving from a blame culture to a just culture
As highlighted by NHS England with the NHS People Plan1 , healthcare organisations that prioritise workforce wellbeing will be better placed to put lessons learnt from the coronavirus pandemic into practice.- Feature
Identifying deterioration using AI technology
The pandemic is accelerating adoption of AI-technology capable of automating the capture of vital signs and proactively identifying patients at risk of deterioration- Feature
The process challenge: it looks clean, but is it?
Pawel de Sternberg Stojalowski MSc, BSc, MBA presents a case study which demonstrates the value of using process challenge devices designed to simulate cleaning of heavily soiled instruments in automated washers.- Feature
Tackling COVID-19 risk via hospital beds
Silver Türk PhD discusses how hospital pillows can pose a potential risk of COVID-19 transmission and how to mitigate the risk.- Feature
Four lessons of the pandemic
The pandemic has motivated incredible change across clinical services, accelerating innovation in some areas and disrupting it in others. Tautvydas Karitonas considers the four infection and prevention control lessons we have learnt from the pandemic- Feature
The case for better OR communication
Technology-led procedures have an important role to play in improving patient outcomes. However, they also present challenges in terms of the quality and timing of essential team communication. Tom Downes reports.- Feature
Blood clot prevention in COVID patients
Bernard Ross explains how a medical device has been providing life threatening blood clot prevention for hospitalised patients with COVID-19 and discusses the emerging data that now suggests the virus is an endothelial disease.- Feature
Mobilisation of patients recovering from COVID
An insight into best practice and the technologies that can assist early mobilisation and rehabilitation.- Feature
Detecting deterioration: technology is key
Dr Ron Daniels BEM, chief executive of the UK Sepsis Trust, provides his thoughts on the importance of standardising the national track and trigger systems across primary and secondary care to improve early detection in the deterioration of patients.- Feature
Urgent need to prevent aspiration risks
Elaine Waggott highlights the importance of reducing airborne pathogenic aerosol in the wake of COVID-19 and considers the potential infection risks in hospital facilities.- Feature
What have we learnt from the pandemic?
The NHS has had to adapt its practices to meet the challenges of the pandemic – the rapid change of use of clinical areas, new ways of working using video conferencing, ramping up of medical device supplies and the setting up of Nightingale hospitals- Feature
First Do No Harm: a hard-hitting review
Kate Woodhead RGN DMS discusses the harrowing findings of a review by Baroness Cumberlege into the harm caused to patients and lessons that must be learnt. She highlights the important patient safety findings that the NHS must now address.- Feature
People plan: ensuring wellbeing and inclusion
The NHS must look after its staff and ensure retention by being ‘positive, compassionate and inclusive’. The People Plan sets out the future commitments for healthcare workers, but is it enough?- Feature
Flight simulator experience for surgeons
The latest advances in VR technology incorporate haptic technology for a full immersive experience, offering the ability for trainees to safely improve their surgical skills.- Feature
Inventory management and patient level costing
Nicola Hall believes technology is a powerful weapon in the fight to improve patient safety and argues that inventory management technology can have a real impact. She shares her top tips on implementing a solution.- Feature
Enhanced traceability through Scan4Safety
The Scan4Safety initiative for operating theatres promotes safer clinical practice. Glen Hodgson argues there is a growing need to improve transparency, traceability and access to accurate data, particularly when it comes to surgical procedures.- Feature
Increasing access to robotics in the NHS
A new robot aims to challenge the current status quo, offering wider access to robotic surgery.- Feature
Bullying remains a concern in theatres
A nationwide survey shows that bullying behaviour is still commonplace in operating theatres, creating an unsafe culture in UK hospitals.- Feature
Making checklists work in the ‘real world’
More than a decade after the WHO first launched its safe surgery checklist, compliance remains a challenge.- Feature
