FEATURE ARTICLES

Health professionals working in the preoperative setting should seize opportunities to increase their influence and value, a recent conference of The Preoperative Association was told. NICHOLAS MARSHALL reports on a variety of issues presented to delegates.

Positiveness and co-operation need to be to the forefront as surgical instrument decontamination services continue to be reshaped, a conference held recently by the Institute of Decontamination Sciences heard. NICHOLAS MARSHALL reports.

Mammalian artificial chromosomes are vectors being created and investigated mainly for use in gene therapy. In this article, Dr JOANNA M. BRIDGER provides a comprehensive overview of the technology involved and describes progress being achieved with their potential therapeutic use.

An Independent Multi-Disciplinary Working Group report has been published focusing on issues relating to the protection of everyone who works in the perioperative setting. Protecting Operating Theatre Staff From The Risk of Infection was sponsored by an educational grant from M"lnlycke Health Care.

The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens and the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee has published revised guidance for those at risk of exposure to transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, on safe working and the prevention of infection.

As Official Media Partner for the event, The Clinical Services Journal reports on the forthcoming Hospital Hygiene Conference to be held in London this March.

Unomedical reports on trials of wound drains at two hospitals within Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, which demonstrated benefits for patients undergoing a range of procedures.

The clinical and organisational implications of increased private sector involvement in NHS healthcare delivery are explored by JASON RAYFIELD.

In the continuing series of New Ways of Working articles, JACKIE YOUNGER, National Practitioner Programme Lead, explains the role of the Surgical Care Practitioner and the process for further development.

MARTIN GORHAM OBE, chief executive of NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), talks to The Clinical Services Journal about the challenges involved in maintaining a safe and adequate supply of blood to patients.

The ways partnership with the private sector can improve delivery of cancer patient care are set out by JUNE SO, chief pharmacist, Christie Hospital NHS Trust in Manchester.

Bacteriophages and the role they could have in treating bacterial infection was described by Professor GEOFF HANLON at a recent conference on infection control hosted by Oxoid. In this article, he provides more detail…

A recent BBC Radio 4 programme provided NICHOLAS MARSHALL with thoughts on the direction that the design of healthcare premises should be taking. Indisputable is the need to have environments which positively assist patients, clinicians and nurses.

Dr GEOFF MATHEWS BSc (Hons) PhD, managing director of The Electrode Company, discusses the importance of pulse oximeter sensor accuracy – a crucial issue in clinical practice.

Education, surveillance and the threat posed by emerging bacterial strains led the discussion and debate at the Seventh Annual Infection Control Nurses Association Conference held recently in Torquay. JASON RAYFIELD reports.

Showcasing the medical industry’s strong ability to innovate, and highlighting its competitiveness and growth, will be MEDICA – being staged this month. The event, in Germany, will provide a forum for an international exchange of ideas on a wide range of health technology issues, reports HORST GIESEN, project leader, Messe Düsseldorf GmbH.

The importance of being comprehensively and determinedly patient focused in the perioperative setting and linked areas was emphasised at the Association for Perioperative Practice (formerly NATN) Congress held at Harrogate in October. NICHOLAS MARSHALL and JASON RAYFIELD report.

A factual and lighthearted look at the work of Dr ANDREW TAGG, senior doctor on board South Pacific cruise ship Pacific Sun.

BEN TROKE, solicitor at Browne Jacobson, an NHS Litigation Authority panel firm, explores the balance of patient choice and medical paternalism in end of life decisions.

Questions are arising as to how Clostridium difficile should be detected and prevented. IAN R POXTON profiles current knowledge.