FEATURE ARTICLES

A seminar entitled Dirty Little Secrets recently addressed some key challenges in the field of decontamination – from the risk of transmission of degenerative diseases, to the threat of Pseudomonas. JONATHAN BAILLIE reports.

The Clinical Services Journal reports on a new technique, developed by Mr Elrasheid Saed and colleagues, for the closed reduction of supracondylar humeral fractures in children.

There is a need for significant improvements in the hospital ward environment, staff training and the overall approach to care delivery for patients with dementia, concludes the first full report on the National Audit of Dementia.

The Clinical Services Journal reports on the findings of a report which concludes that services for people with long-term neurological conditions has not improved greatly since the introduction of the National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions, despite a large increase in spending.

An award-winning design project has been recognised for its contribution to improving the safety of intravenous infusions. JAMES LIMB *, GRAHAM BELL† and IAN GUY ‡ provide an insight into the innovation.

MELISSA ROCHON, a clinical nurse specialist in infection control surveillance, at the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, provides an insight into healing by primary intention.

KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS argues that managers will need to review how clinical teams can work smarter not harder, to meet the productivity and quality agenda. Given the latest forecasts on the nursing labour market, there will be significant challenges ahead.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s Stop the Clot project was a finalist in the NICE Shared Learning Awards. The Trust developed, implemented and audited a prompt and safe response to NICE guidance Venous Thoromboembolism – Reducing the Risk, recommending 28 days extended pharmacological prophylaxis for all patients undergoing major cancer surgery in the abdomen and pelvis.

Measuring aortic pressure enables better patient prognosis and preventative medicine for patients at risk of coronary heart disease. UWE NIXDORFF and RACHID REDOUANE explain how this important measurement can now be incorporated into everyday clinical practice.

SUZANNE CALLANDER reports on the continuing problem of malnutrition among elderly patients in hospitals and looks at how the issue is being tackled.

Point-of-care (POC) testing offers a range of benefits for patients, medical staff and laboratory personnel, providing faster results and accelerating clinical decisions, while reducing the urgent testing burden for hospital laboratories. LIZ GRINT discusses some of the key considerations.

Over 200 medical equipment healthcare professionals – involved in areas such as procurement, maintenance, user training, and managing inventories – will gather at a dedicated EBME event, next month, to discuss topical issues in device management. High on the agenda will be the issue of regulatory compliance.

The implementation of automated infection surveillance systems can offer a wide variety of benefits for patients and hospital Trusts, argues TOM JORDAN, RN, BS.

Nuffield Health has achieved the highest level of recognition for healthcare safety from the NHS Litigation Authority. ANDREW BRISTER speaks to medical director, Dr Andy Jones, about the charity’s work and looks at how the organisation is striving to continuously improve the quality of care.

Dr RON DANIELS argues that the NHS needs to focus on delivering a higher standard of care for patients with sepsis. He also highlights the need for more education and a greater awareness of the syndrome and its early symptoms, among health workers and at Trust level.

Almost 300 delegates attended the annual scientific meeting of UK NEQAS for Blood Coagulation, held at Sheffield Hallam University Conference Centre. PETER COTTON reports.

The issue of regulation for new techniques and technologies went under the spotlight at a seminar, hosted by the Royal College of Surgeons. SUZANNE CALLANDER reports on the concerns voiced by surgeons and doctors regarding the approvals process for medical devices.

At the 2011 King’s Fund Annual Conference, which took place in November, a keynote panel session focused on quality challenges, and how quality can be improved in the health system. The panel discussed the barriers to, and facilitators of, high-quality, patient-centred care.

A growing body of evidence suggests that technology has an important role to play in monitoring hand hygiene performance, resulting in dramatic increases in compliance. Contaminated healthcare workers’ hands continue to play a major role in transmitting healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs).

RUTH EVANS, director of the Patient Experience Network, considers ‘what makes a good patient experience?’ She emphasises the importance of recognising and sharing examples of best practice to drive improvement throughout the health service.