FEATURE ARTICLES

The Clinical Services Journal reports on the results of The National Hip Fracture Database National Report 2011 which shows an improvement in the management in the care of hip fracture in acute healthcare, and the introduction of the first NICE clinical guidance on hip fracture.

The Clinical Services Journal reports from a ‘Completing the Picture’ educational event for clinical and biomedical engineers, where assessment methods for the development of health technology and risk assessment of equipment were among the subjects under discussion.

The potential risk of patient-to-patient infection, from contaminated surgical instruments, was recently discussed at the annual conference of the Institute of Decontamination Sciences (IDSc). LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Telling staff to ‘follow the rules’ is not enough, but how should we deal with migration from policy, while ensuring a safe and just culture? At the AfPP annual congress, Mark Emerton argued that we must learn from rule breaking and understand why violations occur. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Can better healing environments result not only in happier patients but also improved clinical outcomes? ANDREW BRISTER highlights the latest research taking place at a new hospital research centre in Eindhoven that could have profound implications for healthcare providers.

KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS discusses the importance of adhering to appropriate dress code standards and outlines current best practice.

The Clinical Services Journal reports on the achievements and challenges that faced healthcare teams taking part in the Shine programme, which set the task of finding new ways to deliver services that reduce costs while improving quality.

SUZANNE CALLANDER attended a Critical Care Study Day, ‘Putting QIPP into Critical Care,’ organised by the Norfolk, Suffolk & Cambridgeshire Critical Care Network , whose purpose is to ensure equity of access and care for critically ill patients across the three counties.

According to the recent 2010 annual Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) Report, transfusion-associated circulatory overload or ‘TACO’ is rapidly becoming a major cause of patient morbidity and mortality. Transfusion scientist, BARRY HILL, examines the background behind the condition.

Many healthcare workers continue to accept sharps injuries as an ‘inevitable’ part of their job and fail to attend mandatory training, so how can infection control teams begin to influence behaviour change?

At the annual Infection Prevention Society (IPS) conference, held in Bournemouth, a variety of key issues were discussed – including the need to tailor infection prevention strategies to target specific patient groups, such as children and neonates. LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

As the role of the National Patient Safety Agency finally comes to an end, after ten years of tireless campaigning, what will be the agency’s legacy? NPSA director Suzette Woodward tells us: “Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it has happened.” LOUISE FRAMPTON reports.

Surgeons are calling for urgent action to address concerns over ‘significant variations in care’ experienced by patients undergoing emergency surgery.

At the recent ESC Congress 2011, held in Paris, the European Society of Cardiology highlighted the latest research from across Europe – including the eagerly awaited results of important trials, such as ARISTOTLE, Dal-VESSEL and RUBY, which investigated key therapeutic interventions.

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recently held its annual congress in Paris, attracting around 33,000 participants – making it the society’s largest congress to date. The Clinical Services Journal reports on some of the key issues and latest research discussed at the event.

ABDEL EZBIRI argues that air disinfection has been overlooked in the past as an infection control measure. He believes that it has an important role to play in helping to further reduce the rates of HCAIs.

KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS highlights some of the ways in which dignity can be improved in the delivery of care for elderly patients.

The Institute of Decontamination Sciences annual conference and exhibition will take place at the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool from 28-30 November.

What is the latest best practice on reducing surgical site infection in orthopaedic surgery? ANDREW BRISTER reports on the findings from a recent symposium.

The Clinical Services Journal reports from a recent SSI Symposium on some of the work being done to improve post Caesarian-section infection rates and surveilliance in the post-discharge period.