FEATURE ARTICLES

A Westminster Health Forum policy conference recently highlighted the economic impact of antimicrobial resistance. High on the agenda was the question: how can we incentivise the development of new antimicrobials? Louise Frampton reports.

James Anderson, from Lime Solicitors, highlights recent legal action relating to surgeons recommending treatment which may not be necessary or in the patients’ best interests. He outlines some key principles that should be central to any safeguarding protocol to prevent such scandals in the future.

Dr. Andrew Melling discusses the importance of maintaining normothermia in patients undergoing surgery and examines the evidence for various warming approaches – from forced air warming to fluid warming.

Arab Health 2020 took place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE. The medical exhibition gives UK companies, renowned clinicians and leading hospitals the chance to unite on a global stage to showcase the best of British innovation.

Samantha Stocks discusses how factors, such as insufficient hand hygiene, difficult-to-clean surfaces and poor air quality, can lead to the proliferation of harmful bacteria in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, putting vulnerable patients at risk.

The first UK installation of Ken washer-disinfector technology has achieved faster cycle times, reduced utility consumption and is using 50% less detergent, at Queen’s Hospital in Burton-on-Trent.

The Secretary of State says that technology will be the key to increasing healthy life expectancy, reducing costs and personalising treatments in the future. However, clinicians will be required to help develop the technology and the Government is now consulting on its ‘tech plan’.

Steve Eames provides an insight into the role of robotic technologies in preventing infection during outbreaks, such as COVID-19, from disinfection of contaminated areas, to medical support and triage of patients. China has led the way, in terms harnessing innovation and artificial intelligence, but there is increasing potential for medical support automation in the NHS, as the technology arrives in the UK.

In the wake of COVID-19, the role of surface and skin disinfectants are under close scrutiny. Dr. Andrew Kemp considers the resistance challenge and discusses the efficacy of 5th generation SiQuat compounds, compared to other chemistries.

The cleaning of complex reusable surgical instruments requires different considerations and processes, compared to conventional reusable instruments. Samuel Morais BScEng (Hons), from STERIS, offers some advice on tackling some of the key challenges around decontamination of complex surgical instruments – from cleaning and transport, through to reprocessing.

Pawel de Sternberg Stojalowski MSc, BSc, MBA describes the research and development behind the creation of process challenge devices, aimed at optimising cleaning of surgical instruments.

Decontamination Service Manager, Mark Campbell provides an insight into the latest protein residue removal research at the University Hospital of Wales HSDU. The findings could offer valuable insights into best practice.

Adriaan Posthuma highlights the importance of inspecting flexible endoscopes, to ensure patient safety. He provides an insight into the risks of biofilm and protein residues, outlining the steps required to ensure quality assurance.

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust has partnered with CFES and Getinge to make its vision of an NHS-owned decontamination super centre a reality – offering the ability to improve services within the Trust, as well as other hospitals in the London area and beyond. Louise Frampton witnessed first-hand the scale of the operation on a visit to the state-of-the-art Enfield site.

With an ageing workforce, the decontamination sector urgently needs to develop the next generation of healthcare scientists, to ensure the sector continues to deliver high quality, safe services for patients.

Major savings in medicines expenditure have been reported by a hospital in North Wales, following the installation of an automated medication cabinet within the operating theatre. The automated system is also improving the accountability of medication use and helping to improve safety.

The EBME chairman, Dr. John Sandham, discusses what to expect at the EBME Expo, being held in the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes, in Autumn 2020.

At Infection Prevention & Control 2020, NHS leaders warned that increased efforts are required to reduce healthcare-associated infections, if we are to win the fight against antimicrobial resistance. With ambitious targets now set to cut Gram-negative bloodstream infections, what role can clinicians have in delivering improvement? Louise Frampton reports

The NHS has seen significant changes in the profile of its staff as it struggles to fill widespread and growing nurse shortages. Analysis by the Health Foundation shows that the skills mix is changing, as the number of registered nurses is being outstripped by increases in clinical support staff.

Paul McGrade provides his thoughts on health trends on show at Arab Health.