All articles by julian turner
julian turner
Nutrition and holistic care key for ulcer recovery
Pressure ulcers are a debilitating but all too common affliction for those in old age or suffering long-term chronic illnesses. Developments in treatment have come rapidly in the last few years but they still remain shy of a proper cure for the problem. However, recent advice on overall health, hydration and nutrition backed by a white paper from researchers in the US and Europe indicates that a healthy diet can have a massive effect on the condition. Dave Callaghan speaks to Jos Schols, professor of old age medicine at Maastricht University, about how this could be beneficial to patients.
Third-party politics – should ultrasound be outsourced?
With state-funded sonography in crisis, many in the UK believe that ultrasound would be better handled by independent contractors. Medical Imaging Technology weighs up the pros and cons of US-style outsourcing for providers and patients.
Get smart – advances in dressing technology
A group of researchers from Ireland and the Netherlands have developed a new ‘smart dressing’ that they claim will revolutionise the future of wound care management. How does it work and what are the benefits for clinicians and patients? Practical Patient Care speaks to the team behind the project.
Robo-doctor – mechanising surgery
As the first robot to complete soft-tissue surgery is hailed as the future of medicine, Practical Patient Care explores whether this is the end for human surgeons in the operating room. Are machines going to do everything or will there still be a place for humans to guide them? Kim Thomas speaks to Dr Peter Kim, who was involved with the research to develop the technology, about what this will mean for operating rooms and patient safety.
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.
Reducing radiation dose for paediatric CT
Radiation dose, always a concern in CT, is particularly risky for children. Luckily, there is a new way to reduce the dose without adversely affecting image quality, according to a study published online in Radiology.
Heart can heal using own immune cells, say US researchers
The heart contains its own pool of immune cells capable of helping it heal after injury, according to new research in the US.
Best in small doses – improving CT safety
While CT scans are highly effective methods of imaging, the safety risks associated with them are troubling, fuelling fears that the modality is being overused. At Massachusetts General Hospital, the Radiology Department has taken steps to reduce the rate of ‘inappropriate tests’ and cut radiation dose overall. Dr Dushyant Sahani, chief of CT, discusses what measures hospitals can take to improve CT safety.