All articles by Schattopadhaya
Schattopadhaya
Wash your hands of infection
The flu kills thousands of people every winter, and this year has seen the emergence of another deadly virus, COVID-19. Hand washing can provide valuable protection against viruses, which thrive in saliva and mucus. But what’s the best way to wash one’s hands – and is soap and water better than ethanol-based sanitisers? Kim Thomas speaks to epidemiologist Brandon Brown about how to optimise hand hygiene practices to prevent flu and other viruses.
Breathe easy
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators has found broad variation in the way non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is delivered in hospitals across the US. Laura C Myers of the MGH Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Chris Carlin, a respiratory consultant at Gartnavel General Hospital in Glasgow, talk to Sally Turner about the study’s findings and implications.
Surgeon simulator
Artificial intelligence using machine-learning-guided virtual reality simulators can help surgeons develop the skills they need before they step in the operating room, according to new research. The algorithms can rapidly and accurately assess the capabilities of neurosurgeons during virtual surgery. Emma Green speaks to Rolando Del Maestro, researcher at McGill University and study lead author, about the potential of the tool for optimising surgeon training.
Shock of the new: treatment to beat sepsis
Two leading names in pharma have signed an R&D agreement to develop a companion diagnostic test for septic shock that could help identify patients who are more likely to respond to treatment. Kerry Taylor-Smith speaks to Jean-Jacques Palombo, life-cycle leader and senior vice-president at Roche Diagnostics, and Margarita Salcedo-Magguilli, chief development officer at Inotrem, about septic shock and the issues facing the healthcare sector in beating it.
In the hot seat: setting up the perfect OR
What is the ultimate set-up for an operating room (OR)? In this special report, we focus on ergonomics and human factors with insights from Dr Philip Chen, from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, who specialises in the study of the perfect way to work when sitting and standing in the OR. Andrew Putwain speaks to him about the do’s and don’ts of building an operating theatre.
The way to a woman’s heart
As we grow older, our chances of developing heart disease gradually increase. However, misdiagnosis of the condition among women, relative to men, remains at worryingly high levels. Greg Noone talks to Professor Maja-Lisa Løchen about the steps that can be taken to bring female heart disease into sharper focus.
Point of impact: curbing influenza with digital immunoassays
With annual influenza outbreaks having grown in size and severity, the search is on for reliable and cost-effective diagnostic tests. Practical Patient Care talks to Dr Emily Toth Martin of the University of Michigan School of Public Medicine and Dr Jesse Papenburg, a paediatric infectious disease specialist and microbiologist at Montreal Children’s Hospital, about the potential that new digital immunoassays and molecular point-of-care tests have to lessen the yearly impact of the flu virus.
Laser focus: detecting cancer through OCT
A team of European scientists has developed the world’s first cancer scanner that detects blood vessels grown by a malignant melanoma with an infrared laser beam. UK project leader Jon Holmes of Michelson Diagnostics tells Dave Callaghan how optical coherence tomography is enabling specialists to capture 3D images of microscopic structures under the skin in less than 30 seconds.
Sharp practice: innovative injection technology to avoid needle-stick incidents
Developments in injection technology to reduce the costs of needle-stick infections are remapping the path to achieving needle safety. Philip Tanner, assistant director of health, safety and well-being for NHS Blood and Transplant, talks to Eleanor Wilson about how his organisation is balancing better training with innovative equipment.
A dangerous game: ‘Keep Anitbiotics Working’ campaign
Experts around the world warn of a ‘postantibiotic apocalypse’ and ‘the end of modern medicine’. Public Health England launched a major new campaign to help ‘Keep Antibiotics Working’, which is especially targeted at nurses, we discuss what this will mean with Dr Susan Hopkins, a Public Health England consultant.