FEATURE ARTICLES

COVER STORY: Importance of examination gloves in preventing HCAIs

Examination gloves are a critical tool in mitigating the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and preventing cross-contamination. ARKA highlights the latest insights into the vital role they have in maximising safety.

UV-C disinfection: ensuring safety and sustainability

Daan Hoek examines the impact of UV-C light technology in ultrasound probe reprocessing, focusing on how it enhances patient and staff safety. He explains how it contributes to more effective infection control measures, while providing a balance between compliance and sustainability.

Monitoring air quality during joint replacement

Despite the well-documented relationship between microbiological air quality and deep infection rates in joint replacement surgery, routine monitoring of operating theatres during use is still not standard practice. Wan Li Low provides an insight into a pilot study and national audit on air quality in operating theatres, and considers the best approach to drive improvement.

Reducing post-Caesarean surgical site infections

Sandra Quinn, Project Lead for Surgical Site Infection Surveillance, at the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, examines the rise in Caesarean births, why Caesarean section SSIs are common, and considers some measures which could help reduce infection rates.

Efficient reduction of bioaerosols in hospitals

There is an increasing focus on the need to address the infection risk posed by bioaerosols in healthcare settings. Sanathoi Bachaspatimayum looks at how hospitals can balance infection prevention and sustainability, using effective air filtration.

Shining a light on clinical engineering

Global Clinical Engineering Day is a worldwide celebration which recognises the contributions of clinical engineers to healthcare and is celebrated on 21 October. In this Q&A, the Chair of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) Clinical Engineering Special Interest Group, Dr. Victoria Kidgell, shares her insights.

Transform care with value-based healthcare

Value-based healthcare in the NHS aims to reduce unwarranted variations, improve patient outcomes, optimise resource use and allocation, and minimise costs. Mary Muir provides an insight into the key considerations required to ensure equitable and sustainable healthcare, while improving the experience and outcomes for patients.

Advancing point of care testing in women’s health

Martha Mackenzie looks at the history of point of care testing in women’s health and how diagnostics continues to advance and evolve to meet the needs of the female population.

The advance of the robot and new surgical frontiers

What will the future hold for robotic-assisted surgery; how is the robotic landscape evolving; and what technologies are coming to the fore? CSJ takes a look at current trends and some of the latest developments in the sector.

Hydrogel coatings and complex fracture care

Will Eardley and Helen Smith, from James Cook University Hospital, highlight the impact of implant related infections in orthopaedic surgery and the challenges around biofilm formation. In this article, they consider the role of hydrogel in preventing infections and share their valuable insights into selecting patients who could benefit.

Moving healthcare away from hospitals

Kate Woodhead RGN DMS discusses the drive to ‘make care closer to home’ and move healthcare away from hospitals where possible. A shift in focus from illness management, to wellness and prevention will be a key aspect of the Government’s ambition – so how can this be achieved?

COVER STORY: Saving lives by supporting the Sepsis Six

World Sepsis Day raises awareness of the thousands of lives that are lost due to this condition each year. A solution from Medstor aimed at supporting the Sepsis Six, which is proven to save lives, has the potential to speed up intervention and help to improve outcomes.

Reducing the NHS’s impact on the environment

Paul Chivers, an independent consultant, highlights the latest research which suggests that a new decontamination technology has the potential to “save thousands of Tonnes of CO2, and the equivalent of 115 swimming pools of water per year”.

How breath analysis could support gut health

Billy Boyle discusses the potential of breath analysis technology in delivering improvements in diagnosis and clinical monitoring, for patients with digestive diseases. In this article, he reveals how portable devices could revolutionise gastrointestinal healthcare in the future.

Supporting a flexible healthcare workforce

The UK’s health and social care system is facing significant challenges, including demographic shifts, increasing demand, financial constraints and workforce shortages. New approaches are needed to long-standing challenges, and we all have a part to play, argues Mark Underwood. He looks at how we can support a flexible health and social care workforce to ensure a better future.

Shining a light on the future of surgery

From advances in robot-assisted surgery, to artificial intelligence, the future of surgery is rapidly evolving. The latest innovations will be highlighted at this year’s Future Surgery event – alongside discussion of the latest trends and issues that are set to shape the direction of the surgical profession.

Calls to tackle ageing equipment in theatres

Ageing surgical equipment, particularly operating tables, can greatly affect medical outcomes, warns Sam Parry. This article discusses the importance of modernising equipment in the operating theatre and how this can improve efficiency and reduce the risk of downtime.

A great debate: sustainable decontamination

Does passionate idealism for sustainable decontamination threaten patient safety, or do we need to rethink the culture of single use? These were some of the questions debated at The Central Sterilising Club’s Annual Meeting.

Critical aspects of microbial control

This year, the Central Sterilising Club’s Annual Scientific Meeting brought to the fore the complex challenges around microbial control both in the healthcare environment and with medical devices. At the heart of the discussion was the need to balance patient safety with the need to protect our planet. Louise Frampton reports.

The importance of effectively managing swabs

Following the publication of the HSSIB report, Tracey Pavier-Grant describes how an effective risk management strategy for the disposal of swabs can help prevent Never Events and provide surgical teams with peace of mind.

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