FEATURE ARTICLES

SUZANNE CALLANDER reports on the benefits offered by the use of a molecular assay technique to identify respiratory viruses.

There is a growing call for the development of childhood cancer treatments to come into line with those of adult cancers. To allow this to happen, current loopholes in the EU Paediatric Regulation need to be tightened. SUZANNE CALLANDER reports.

The latest end of life audit shows there is significant room for improvement in the way hospitals care for dying patients. However, a new approach to end of life care has been announced which aims to address some of the key problems identified in recent years.

JULIE GILLSON and GAIL LOWDON provide an insight into how the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reduced its infection rate within the orthopaedic department and developed a robust surgical site infection surveillance service.

GAMA HEALTHCARE provides comprehensive aftercare support. Its IPS accredited, state-of-the-art training package is delivered via a free 10” tablet and is a fun, informative and rewarding introduction to environmental cleaning.

ADVANCED STERILIZATION PRODUCTS (ASP), a division of Cilag International GmbH, a Johnson & Johnson company, offers a suite of sterilization and disinfection solutions.

HYGIENA INTERNATIONAL is a global leader for the manufacture and supply of rapid detection systems for the measurement of contamination and microbial risk management.

The Healthcare Infection Society’s 9th International Conference takes place 16-18 November 2014 in Lyon, France. The Clinical Services Journal provides an overview of some of the key conference themes and innovations being highlighted at the event.

Delegates and speakers from the UK and abroad attended the annual scientific meeting of the United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Service (UK NEQAS) for Blood Coagulation. PETER COTTON provides an insight into the key themes.

The recent Welch Allyn educational symposium provided an insight into the changing demands placed on those tasked with delivering effective medical device management. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recently held its annual Congress in Barcelona. The Clinical Services Journal reports on some of the event highlights.

The Clinical Services Journal reports on the findings of a recent report from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, which offers an overview of biomedical engineering in the UK, and looks at the increasing role of technology and biomedical engineers in the NHS.

Following recommendations from Robert Francis on how the inspection and regulation of hospitals could be made clearer and more robust, the Department of Health England consulted earlier this year on how those regulations might look. KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS, reports.

Charles Gore, chief executive of the Hepatitis C Trust, recently commented that eradication of hepatitis C (HCV) in the UK is a realistic goal. However, only half of those infected know they have it and deaths from HCV continue to rise. With only 3% of the chronically infected population accessing treatment each year, efforts to tackle the disease must improve. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

The Clinical Services Journal takes a look at how technology developments are helping to reduce the possibility of patient-safety incidents in infusion pumps, which are ubiquitous devices in the healthcare sector.

An independent commission is calling for a radical overhaul in the way health and social care are organised. It is proposing a new approach that redesigns care around individual needs.

A mobile hand hygiene training and assessment tool is being employed at one Trust to offer the infection control team a labour-saving device to help ensure good levels of hand hygiene compliance and also educate staff about good hand-washing technique. SUZANNE CALLANDER reports.

A recent study has explored factors surrounding the insertion and management of tracheostomies in both the critical care unit and the ward environment.

Thousands of people with the heart condition atrial fibrillation could be saved from strokes, disability or death, according to guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

A single-use, one-size-fits-all device can help improve patient outcomes and also offer clinical time savings when dealing with digit procedures in theatre or cuts or lacerations in A&E. The Clinical Services Journal reports.