FEATURE ARTICLES

Debbie McKinney explores innovative approaches to infection prevention in endoscopy services, and the knock-on impacts for cost and efficiency savings.

Carolyne Horner discusses the diversity of point-of-care tests (POCTs) available for the rapid detection of infection and the key issues relevant to their uptake.

Surface transmission has been identified as an important route of pathogen spread, especially within the healthcare environment. Jade Pallett discusses viral and bacterial transmission and looks at the key issues and evidence.

There is considerable evidence that contaminated surfaces and the untreated hands of healthcare professionals contribute to the spread of nosocomial pathogens within the hospital setting.

Speaking at IP2021, Julie Storr called for a ‘hard reset’ in infection prevention and control, to ensure compassionate care is not overlooked, amidst efforts to eliminate risk from infectious diseases.

An international study has found that high-need older patients had the highest mortality rates of any country, despite performing relatively well on several other measures of quality of hospital care.

Solving interoperability challenges in relation to healthcare technologies has the potential to improve patient outcomes, deliver financial savings and optimise clinical workflows.

A new report by the National Audit Office has warned that there is a significant risk that NHS waiting times could lengthen even further and provides a detailed analysis of the challenges ahead.

Dave Rudge argues that the UK could learn from the Netherlands’ holistic approach to infection prevention and highlights the need for further studies to provide high-quality data on the role of the environment in transmission.

The latest research presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology’s 30th Congress revealed the true burden of skin disease in Europe and prompted debate over the increasing use of consumer apps for diagnosing cancers.

Community diagnostic hubs have the potential to make a significant difference to patients waiting for diagnostic imaging and will help reduce the backlog in the wake of the pandemic.

Maria Kapoula considers the debate on active vs passive safety pen needles and discusses the question: which type of device is preferable when the full range of human factors are assessed?

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust’s digital transformation has facilitated earlier detection of patient deterioration, supported care for patients during the COVID pandemic, and is now on its way to enabling better integration of care patients.

Work underway in Manchester shows how intertwined technological and economic revolutions can be harnessed to create a health revolution in which streamlined care is brought closer to the UK’s rapidly ageing population.

At IP2021, experts highlighted the need to re-focus on core IP&C issues. While it is important to learn lessons from the pandemic, we also need to view IP&C through a ‘new lens’ and consider the fundamentals of nursing care.

The UK Pavilion is heading back to Arab Health in January 2022. This month, CSJ spoke to ABHI’s managing director, International, Paul Benton, about the array of technologies, services and surgical simulations being showcased on the ABHI UK Pavilion.

Dan Sullivan points out that reliance on disposable PPE has been exacerbated by COVID-19, but says it is symptomatic of a deeper misperception of sustainable options.

What are the hot topics for the decontamination sector in 2022? Top decontamination experts provide their views on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

The first ever Future Surgery event to take place in-person saw thousands of clinicians uniting at ExCeL London.

How can theatres work smarter, not harder? The Operating Theatres show recently brought together healthcare leaders and clinicians to discuss how productivity and efficiency can be improved, in an effort to tackle the unprecedented backlog.