All articles by Blatha
Blatha
Need for speed
The demand for point-of-care testing (POCT) is growing due to the value shift in healthcare and increasing technological advancements. The rising prevalence of lifestyle and infectious diseases, early detection of diseases, and management of multiple chronic conditions is also fuelling growth of the market. Dr Kay Roy, consultant physician in respiratory and general internal medicine, and honorary senior lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire, outlines a new POCT for viral infections that can reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and hospital admissions, providing major cost savings.
Injection of truth
The administering of injectable biologic therapies and wearables is rising. These treatments present several challenges for healthcare professionals and patients: the large size of the molecules means that administration is not as straightforward, an effective dose may be highly viscous and patient compliance is not ensured. Patrick Kingsland asks Dr Olivia Merkel, professor of drug delivery at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, how these problems can be addressed.
Headset healthcare
Augmented and mixed-reality platforms are helping surgeons prepare for and carry out increasingly complex procedures. Abi Millar hears from Dr Hans-Jürgen von Lücken, senior physician at Hamburg’s Kath. Marienkrankenhaus, and Jakub Wlasny, lead developer at apoQlar, about the potential for adding a new layer of reality to the surgical theatre.
An app a day
Non-adherence to treatment regimens costs healthcare systems hundreds of billions of dollars every year. Elly Earls speaks to Jon Lee-Davey, internet of things (IoT) health lead at Vodafone, to discuss how an IoT-powered solution could potentially save money and lives.
Resistance is futile
Dr Maria Daniela Angione of Trinity College Dublin has developed an electronic chip intended for use as part of a disposable diagnostic tool. Now undergoing preclinical trials, it could quickly detect bacterial infections and help address the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. Here, its potential impact is discussed with Abi Millar.
Gut feeling
New research has found that one in four non-antibiotic drugs affect the growth of bacteria in the gut, which could promote antibiotic resistance and greatly impact the way in which healthcare professionals diagnose and treat disease. Lucy Evans speaks to Nassos Typas of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory about the capacity to harm as well as heal.
Rise of the Machines
You might be surprised to know robotic weapons first appeared in the Second World War with the Nazi’s Goliath tracked mine. Measuring 2ft x 4ft x 1ft, the miniature tank was packed with up to 100kg of explosive and controlled by a hidden operator who sent commands to the device via long radio cables.
Foot the bill
Diabetic foot injuries remain one of the most acute conditions of diabetic patients, typically caused by pressure ulcers. Amid a global diabetes pandemic, more needs to be done to ensure patients receive preventative and timely treatment. Practical Patient Care presents an edited extract from a joint paper in which the European Pressure Ulcer Advocacy Panel (EPUAP) and the European Wound Management Association (EWMA) outline how healthcare professionals can fight fatal complications and improve patient quality of life.
Minimum requirement: controlling radiation
New dose measurement software has enabled public hospitals in Spain’s Murcia region to reduce the amount of radiation they use for medical imaging exams by more than a third since 2015. Alfonso Martinez Cal, GE Healthcare’s dose modality leader for the Iberia region, speaks to Andrew Putwain about how the DoseWatch system can improve patient care.
Agents of change: ‘painting’ cancer for easy removal
Nanoscale contrast agents are helping to improve rates for vital early-stage diagnoses and enabling cancers to be ‘painted’, which eases removal. Dr Cristina Zavaleta, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Southern California, discusses the latest developments in molecular imaging with Andrew Putwain.