RECENT FEATURE ARTICLES
Balancing safety with sustainability
Could we see a wholesale move to single-use scopes, in the future, or is the cost to the environment just too great? Could there be a middle ground, and how can we achieve a balance between protecting patients and protecting the planet? These were just some of the questions debated by experts at a recent online event, hosted by Pentax Medical. Louise Frampton reports.
Ten steps to an efficient PMCF plan
The European Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 (EU MDR) has put more emphasis on Post-Market Clinical Follow-up (PMCF), to ensure patient safety. Celeste Maksim outlines some key steps to help manufacturers map out a smooth compliance journey and avoid a dangerous shortage of devices hitting the market.
Tackling airborne transmission of pathogens
The pandemic has increased our focus and understanding of the importance of mitigating the risk of airborne transmission of infections in the hospital environment. With patient safety at the forefront, Maidstone Hospital recently trialled a UV-C ventilation system to deliver a significant reduction in CFUs.
The blueprint for cleaner, safer hospitals
Neill Simmons highlights the key changes being implemented by the new National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021 and shares his views on how microfibre cleaning and advances in automated disinfection technology can play a crucial role in protecting patients, staff and visitors across the NHS Acute Estate and other localised medical environments
Technology advances explored at EBME Expo
Dr. John Sandham, the EBME chairman, shares the details of the 2022 EBME Expo, being held in the Coventry Building Society Arena, on the 28-29 June 2022.
New GMC guidance to improve working culture
New proposals have been published by the GMC to help tackle toxic working cultures and to promote safer, more compassionate environments. Doctors will be expected to report bullying and discrimination, as well as working towards making healthcare more supportive, inclusive and fair.
Reprocessing of TOE probes
Cecile Paya provides an insight into the demands of reprocessing transoesophageal echocardiogram probes. She argues that automated solutions should be adopted to ensure both the safety of the probe and the safety of the patient
Infection risks and the environment
The healthcare environment continues to present a risk of infection transmission, so what can we do to protect patients in a post-pandemic era? The Central Sterilising Club’s 60th anniversary annual scientific meeting showcased the latest evidence for best practice, highlighting some of the potential threats that need to be addressed.
Decontamination: past, present and future
The Central Sterilising Club’s 60th anniversary annual scientific meeting finally took place in Stratford Upon Avon, having been delayed by the pandemic. It hosted some lively discussion around the key challenges in decontamination – from difficulties in reprocessing TOE probes and contaminated neonatal incubators, to whether hospitals can function safely without Authorised Engineers (decontamination). Louise Frampton reports.
COVID recovery: delivery plans
Kate Woodhead RGN DMS discusses the recently published ‘Delivery Plan’ for tackling the backlog of elective care, in the wake of the pandemic. People who are waiting for care are becoming increasingly desperate to receive their surgery, and many are suffering and in pain. So, how can we tackle the backlog and ‘build back better’, while caring for a workforce that is still suffering the after-effects of COVID-19?
COVER STORY: Re-evaluating cleaning chemistries
Andreia Messias, product manager, consumables, at STERIS, considers the question: should rising costs drive facilities to re-evaluate their cleaning chemistries?
Ultrasound innovation: how can we keep up?
Point of care ultrasound is bringing ultrasound to increasing numbers of hospital departments, practitioners and patients, with advancing technology making ultrasound more accessible than ever before, and an essential tool throughout the hospital. What is clear, is that ultrasound is changing, but can decontamination processes keep pace with these developments? Richard Fish discusses the challenges and solutions.
Embedding CQC inspection readiness
Following some recently awarded Care Quality Commission (CQC) ‘Outstanding’ ratings at its locations, HCA UK’s divisional vice president of quality, Judi Ingram, reflects on the approach taken to inspection readiness and how this has been embedded and achieved in HCA UK facilities.
Why PIFU could transform outpatient care
Delivering patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU) is a major new change to outpatient services laid out in NHS England’s Operational Planning Guidance and is almost certainly going to be a major component of the Elective Recovery Plan. Tom Whicher provides an insight.
Early recognition of patient deterioration
Donna McHenry and David Watson, at NHS Lanarkshire, offer an insight into how digital clinical observations can assist the early recognition of patient deterioration.
Ockenden review: the final report
The final Ockenden report on maternity services at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust has highlighted problems with staff shortages, a lack of training, failures to investigate and learn from incidents, and a culture of not listening to families. So, what can we learn from these failures in maternity care and how can safety be improved?
Tackling demand on outpatient services
David Ezra, managing director at healthcare technology company Vantage Health, sets out his vision for tackling the demand on outpatient services.
Next steps for patient safety in the NHS
The Westminster Health Forum Policy Conference recently debated the ‘Next steps for patient safety in the NHS’. High on the agenda was a focus on whole system learning, opportunities for regulation and the need for patient involvement. Louise Frampton reports
Hand Hygiene: a post COVID view
Taking place on the 5 May, World Hand Hygiene Day 2022 recognises that a strong quality and safety culture will encourage people to clean hands at the right times and with the right products. Dawn Stevens discusses the importance of protecting healthcare workers’ hands, and the role this has in promoting hand hygiene compliance.
Mitigating the risk of a ‘Never Event’
George Gallagher discusses why Never Events keep happening, why they matter and what we can all do about them to improve outcomes
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Upcoming Events
EBME Expo 2022
Coventry Building Society Arena, Phoenix Way, Rowleys Green, Coventry CV6 6GE
28th - 29th June
Infection 360: What's trending in infection prevention & control
Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham
27-28 September 2022
IP2022 IS COMING TO BOURNEMOUTH IN OCTOBER 2022
Bournemouth
17-19 October 2022
UKHCA Conference: Listen Up
Pendulum Hotel and Manchester Conference Centre, Manchester
3rd November 2022
MEDICA 2022
Dusseldorf Germany
14th November - 17th November
Future Surgery 2022
ExCel, London
15th - 16th November 2022
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