All articles by julian turner
julian turner
Sea-change in C-section antiseptic use
Despite being one of the most common surgical procedures undergone by women, rates of infection among caesarean-section patients remain astonishingly high. New research by Dr Methodius G Tuuli could be about to change this. Oliver Hotham speaks to the Washington University assistant professor of obstetrics and gynaecology about what this means for the future of infection control and how a simple change of antiseptic could represent a breakthrough for women across the world.
Double the benefit – using mammograms to detect heart disease
Routine mammograms for breast cancer may also be an effective tool for catching heart disease early. Dr Laurie Margolies, chief of breast imaging at the Dubin Breast Center, explains the technique’s potential new role in female cardiovascular care.
Squeaky clean – keeping operating rooms sterile
Keeping operating rooms clean and sterile is a vital process, and one that is constantly being tweaked. Trevor Garcia, MIDSc, director of education at the UK Institute of Decontamination Sciences, speaks to Kerry Taylor-Smith about how to ensure proper storage in an operating theatre that will enable a smooth flow of surgical instruments. He explains why balancing innovative methods in storage, rotation and packaging, with the long-standing traditional methods, are the best way to ensure a successful operating room theatre for patients and staff.
Mass enlistment: the future of trauma care
Over the past 20 years, trauma care has evolved thanks to improvements in systems, assessment, triage, resuscitation and emergency care. In spite of this, huge gaps still exist in hospital procedures and operational care, the reform of which could save lives. We speak to Dr Lewis Kaplan, MD, associate professor of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, about ways to improve emergency medicine, not least in combatting preventable fatalities from problems with airways and infusions.
Second sight – next-generation imaging probes
Andrew Putwain speaks to Paul Galluzzo, The Technology Partnership’s chief researcher, about a new imaging probe designed to give surgeons better vision during procedures – for example, when killing or removing cancerous or damaged tissue; navigating around the body during an operation; and working with catheters inside an organ – and how this will benefit patients in the long term.
Inside young minds – unlocking teenage brains with MRI technology
Professor Ed Bullmore, head of psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, talks to Lynette Eyb about how new MRI technology is being used to unlock the secrets of the teenage brain and possible causes of mental illness.
Harmful rays – fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures
Technologists who perform fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures face increased risks of brain and breast cancers and melanoma, according to a new study. Dr Preetha Rajaraman, South Asia programme director at the US National Cancer Institute’s Center for Global Health, discusses the safety issues for patients and radiologists.
Secrets to perfection – the perfect central sterile services department
Practical Patient Care explores how to make the perfect central sterile services department (CSSD) in a hospital. We talk to Courtney Mace-Davis – who recently won a prestigious award for her work at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics – about her profession, its place in hospital management and her personal tips on building a successful and effective team in the CSSD.
X marks the spot – minimising X-ray exposure using video gaming technology
The device at the centre of a sophisticated new approach to minimising X-ray exposure isn’t a new piece of medical machinery, but a video gaming system. Dr Steven Don of Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, explains to Sarah Williams how the depth sensors, RGB camera and software of a Microsoft Xbox Kinect can be used to map patients against X-ray detectors in order to measure body-part thickness, without any physical contact.
Asthma research catches its breath
Once seen as a single condition, asthma is now known to be a heterogeneous disease with many distinct phenotypes. Unfortunately, not all these subgroups respond to existing treatments, meaning the search for targeted therapies is gathering pace. Dr Yassine Amrani of the University of Leicester tells Abi Millar how his work into the pathogenesis of asthma could ultimately help change these patients’ lives.