FEATURE ARTICLES

The Clinical Services Journal reports on the need to better understand and record information pertaining to the patient experience, with a view to improving patient outcome and increasing satisfaction levels in line with Government ambitions.

In the final installment of his series, GUY HIRST, an expert in human factors training, looks at strategies from the aviation industry that could be transferred to the clinical environment to improve the working environment for healthcare staff and improve patient safety.

SUZANNE CALLANDER reviews a recently published report which calls for a renewed focus on the management and treatment of patients who have suffered a heart attack or episode of unstable angina.

The Clinical Services Journal reports on an alternative to traditional surgical sealants, in the form of a surgical sealant film and brings together evidence of its benefits in a variety of different procedures.

The Clinical Services Journal reports on a recent study undertaken on an automated alternative to the traditional Doppler methods used to detect peripheral arterial disease by taking ankle brachial pressure index measurements.

Dr DAVID HADDOW explores the latest approaches to healing acute burns and looks at how these developments could also offer opportunities for the healing of other problematic wounds.

RICHARD SHORNEY and Dr KAREN OUSEY discuss how the specialty of tissue viability can align with the ideals of the quality agenda. They argue that investment in tissue viability leads to improvements in quality, reduced hospital admissions and significant savings.

KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS takes a closer look at some of the latest topical healthcare news headlines.

With less than 24 months before the UK Government has to introduce the European Directive on prevention from sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector, GRAHAM JOHNSON discusses the practical steps that employers can take now to prepare for the introduction of this legislation.

There is a long history of using overseas-trained clinical staff within the NHS, but how can the recruitment process be improved to avoid the mistakes that have been highlighted by recent inquests? ANDREW ANASTASIOU comments on the key issues and offers some valuable advice.

TONY MOSS takes a look at the employment opportunities that still exist in the NHS, despite the economically challenging environment.

The implementation of HD video technology has offered one hospital Trust a solution to the impact of the European Working Time Directive on vital training time for surgical trainees.

Dr FRANCES REES and Dr CHRIS DEIGHTON highlight the need to optimise outcomes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, through rapid referral to a specialist and early treatment. They discuss some of the barriers that need to be addressed to improve diagnosis and management of the disease.

UTIs make up a large proportion of healthcare-associated infections in the UK today. Most can be traced to the use of catheters. SUZANNE CALLANDER reports on two different methods that have been employed, as part of the Protection from Infection HIAs, to reduce infection rates.

GUY HIRST, an expert in human factors training, explains how a well-trained team can help save the day in spite of personal vulnerabilities. He also explains how a skills framework, originally developed for use in the aviation industry, can also be applied to the clinical environment.

In the wake of the latest guidance on reducing delays in the provision of emergency blood, transfusion scientist BARRY HILL examines how this process has historically developed and outlines the latest innovations in this field.

The Clinical Services Journal reports on the results of a study conducted by the NHS Technology Adoption Centre into the implementation of a non-invasive bladder analysis system.

With the ever-present threat of healthcare-associated infections, MICHELLE HOLLAND explores the importance of the rapid diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection as an aid to patient prioritisation and appropriate resource allocation.

The Clinical Services Journal reports from the recent Healthcare Innovation Expo, which highlighted the important role that innovation, in all its forms, will have in driving up quality and value in the NHS of the future.

The annual NHS staff satisfaction survey, recently published by the Care Quality Commission, has produced some surprising results, which could offer some encouragement for Trusts. KATE WOODHEAD RGN DMS reports.