All articles by chris cox
chris cox
Apology for Clostridium difficile infection control failures
Health officials have apologised for the substandard infection control practices of a hospital in north Wales.
What’s the prognosis? Patients’ opinions on funding the NHS
With the National Health Service having celebrated its 65th birthday in a cloud of criticism and finger-pointing, what does the fiscal future hold for this grand old UK institution? The Department of Health’s Anna Dixon, and Amy Galea, Anastasia Knox and Dan Wellings of the King’s Fund asked those who arguably care most about the service – the patients – what should and should not be changed.
Healthcare IT: a global perspective
Small hospitals are the customers of the future for the global healthcare IT market, while low-end users will drive down profit margins of PACS and RIS companies. These are among the findings of the latest investigation into the global healthcare IT market by GBI Research.
Anger management: reducing violence in A&E
Violence and aggression present serious problems for the NHS. Hospital staff experience more than 150 incidents a day, approximately 20%…
Clean-up campaign: the battle against bacteria
Healthcare-associated infections are on the increase, and antibiotics are no longer effective. Derek Butler, chair of MRSA Action UK, calls on the medical industry to return to basics and look to the successes of other industries in controlling bacteria.
Developments in laboratory automation
Laboratory or clinical automation has become essential in the treatment of patients. Manufacturers and clinicians are continually looking to reduce the time between the delivery of specimens to the lab after patient testing, and the delivery of results to doctors and care teams. Dr Robert Jerris, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, reveals the latest developments in lab automation and how this critical function is continuing to support medical professionals.
The sharp end of surgery
Needlestick injuries have long been a risk to patients and healthcare professionals alike. Legislation and innovative products from equipment manufacturers have reduced the number of such injuries in non-surgical settings, but the risk in the operating room appears to be growing. Members of the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses reveal the wider dangers of the operating room and how they can be addressed.
Best evidence: the changing practices of wound care
Wound care is continually evolving. Although, in the past, it’s been very much based on clinical experience and anecdotal evidence, the use of evidence-based medicine is beginning to be recognised, as Terry Treadwell, medical director of the Institute for Advanced Wound Care, tells Andrew Tunnicliffe.
Under the skin: subcutaneous therapy
The list of common routes for administering medication and basic fluids in healthcare include intravenous, intra-muscular and oral, but subcutaneous therapy often lags behind this selection for fluid replacement. Paul Lee and Kim Helling of ABMU Local Health Board examine the benefits of this process and the reasons why it isn’t in fashion.
An end to incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a common condition among women. While it can cause embarrassment and seriously affect quality of life, many women with symptoms do not seek medical help. Developing less-invasive treatments is a priority for clinicians, but so is raising awareness to encourage earlier diagnosis, Ivan Fistonic, director of the Ob/Gyn & Menopause Health Center tells Jim Banks.