RECENT FEATURE ARTICLES

As the healthcare sector faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, sterile services departments are debating the relative advantages of flexible sterile wrap versus reusable rigid containers. Choosing a sterile barrier system is a major decision and can only be made after weighing all the relevant factors. Karina Engels provides an insight into the key considerations.

This month, ‘Martha’s Rule’ is being rolled out in hospitals across England, enabling patients and families to seek an urgent review if their condition deteriorates.

Following the success of previous events, Knowlex is further looking at expanding 
the horizons of infection prevention and control (IPC) at the Infection Prevention and Control Conference, scheduled for April 23 - 24, at The National Conference Centre in Birmingham.

Operating theatres are known to be particularly energy intensive and one key initiative to reduce their carbon footprint is through adopting a circular economy approach, which includes the use of reusable surgical instrumentation. While this can cut costs at a time when resources are overstretched, it must not come at the cost of patient safety. In this article, Daniel Coole highlights the need for education on surgical instruments.

The next Government will be tasked with tackling the major challenges faced by the NHS – from staff shortages, strikes over pay and huge waiting lists, to increasing demand from an ageing and increasingly obese population, health inequalities, and a crisis in social care. Recent major reports have outlined the priorities for future leaders. CSJ provides an overview of their key findings.

Future Surgery recently cast a light on bullying, discrimination, and sexual misconduct in the NHS, and discussed the efforts required to foster an inclusive culture to support staff wellbeing. Louise Frampton reports.

Kate Woodhead RGN DMS considers the challenges around delivering ‘better integrated care’ and explains the frameworks and strategies that seek to focus on 
prevention, better outcomes and reducing health inequalities.

Training of decontamination staff is vital for patient safety, but can also have other key benefits – including boosting morale and enhancing the overall performance of the department.

Last year, the Nuffield Trust warned that the domestic training pipeline for clinical careers is ‘unfit for purpose’ – with too many staff dropping out of training and leaving their NHS careers. Now, the Royal College of Nursing is highlighting issues with recruitment too.

New research, presented at a major cardiology congress, is set to inform best practice in cardiovascular care, with the aim of improving outcomes and reducing mortality. The Clinical Services Journal highlights some key findings.

A report published by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) previously highlighted the dangers of incorrect patient information. Sean Kelly & Dan Johnston argue that establishing a digital identity strategy for clinicians, devices and patients will usher in a safer and more efficient workflow.

Gerry Lacey discusses the changes in emphasis that are being driven in the US by the Leapfrog Group Hand Hygiene Standard and the lessons that can be learned in the UK

Nick Collier highlights the need for innovation in sample collection, to overcome key human factors challenges, and to ultimately improve point of care diagnostics.

Basildon Hospital is using calprotectin home testing to support IBD patients. Kezia Allen, Associate Practitioner, Clinical Trials, Basildon Hospital, reveals the feedback from patients who are using calprotectin tests, as well as some key considerations for the Trust.

Virtual Wards are a crucial part of NHS plans to increase capacity and tackle the increasing operational pressures facing the NHS. But what is a Virtual Ward? What benefits will they deliver? Furthermore, how well is the NHS doing in delivering on its ambition for Virtual Wards? Tracey Barr provides an insight.

Smart phone technology is being implemented by UK hospitals for preoperative assessment, as well as remotely monitoring patients’ wounds. The Clinical Services Journal spoke to Chris Taylor, a director at Isla, to find out how the technology could help improve perioperative care.

Dr. Jimmy Walker, chair of the Central Sterilising Club, provides an insight into what the 2024 Annual Scientific Conference has to offer. He reveals that delegates will be “in for a big surprise”.

Following an inquiry into Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Diagnostics has published its first report, highlighting the benefits of the programme, as well as its concerns. This article provides an overview of the report findings, highlights CDCs’ efforts to tackle the backlog, and looks at the role of investment in MedTech in driving efficiency.

Kate Woodhead RGN DMS explains why surgical site infection surveillance is an important element of practice development. She looks at the latest data and discusses the frameworks for best practice

2024 is a key moment in history for Wassenburg Medical. The company will be celebrating its 40-year anniversary in business. Having designed the world’s first automated endoscope reprocessor, the company continues to drive innovation.