FEATURE ARTICLES

With an ageing society, the number of hip and knee replacements is set to increase dramatically – along with the number of associated prosthetic joint infections. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

The move from broad-based patient treatment to targeted, personalised clinical delivery has significant implications for patient services.

When the Peterborough District Hospital sterile services department moved into the newly-built Peterborough City Hospital, it had an opportunity to redesign its storage and handling systems to better suit its processes.

Procedures involving electro surgery, laser tissue ablation and ultrasonic scalpel tissue dissection all create surgical smoke plume – but should healthcare workers be concerned about the risks to their health and demand better protection? LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

JACK KAYE suggests a primary screening alternative to check for signs of breast cancer, without the need for more regular mammogram screening programmes.

The third Healthcare Innovation Expo 2013 will support the delivery of the report Innovation Health and Wealth – Accelerating Adoption and Diffusion in the NHS.

The third Healthcare Innovation Expo 2013 will support the delivery of the report Innovation Health and Wealth – Accelerating Adoption and Diffusion in the NHS.

JOHN SANDHAM IEng MIHEEM MIET highlights the risks associated with poor medical device management policy and argues the need for Trusts to be more actively involved in setting policy and systems to improve practice.

How should those tasked with the delivery of safe, compliant endoscope decontamination services approach the new Choice Framework for local Policy and Procedures?

Pain management is an important component in patient care. The use of intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) has become a common method for providing post-operative pain management.

A new strategy for nursing and midwifery has been published which aims to ensure high quality, compassionate care. KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS provides an insight into how this vision is expected to be delivered.

The Clinical Services Journal reports on a call, by the Royal College of Physicians, for a radical review of the health service in a bid to change the way care is organised and delivered, to better meet changing patient needs.

The Government believes that the NHS could save £1.2 billion through improved procurement. At one Trust alone, savings of £800,000 per year have been achieved by the orthopaedic department, through a review of its procurement strategy. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Significant advances in transfusion, medicine and science are contributing to continuing improvements in patient care across many clinical specialties, as BARRY HILL discovered at a London symposium held at the Royal College of Pathologists.

Diabetes is rapidly becoming the biggest healthcare challenge of our time, so is the NHS providing the recommended standards of care to people with diabetes?

Diabetes is rapidly becoming the biggest healthcare challenge of our time, so is the NHS providing the recommended standards of care to people with diabetes?

Many inpatients in NHS hospitals could be treated more effectively in the community or at home.

Before introducing any sharps-related legislation, Europe should look carefully at the US experience and learn from them, says Dr Mary Foley. SUZANNE CALLANDER reports.

The NHS has been challenged by Government to innovate through partnership. RICK CATLIN BSc (Hons) considers how the NHS can work alongside private industry to promote patient safety through improved hand hygiene compliance.

Could telehealth provide a solution to the issues of spiralling healthcare costs, increased demand and long-term sustainability? LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.