Contents
THE CLINICAL SERVICES JOURNAL Inside this issue 45 How can digital technology improve acute care?
5 Editor’s Comment The human cost of AMR laid bare
6 Cover Story: Importance of examination gloves in preventing HCAIs
Examination gloves are a critical tool in mitigating the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and preventing cross-contamination. ARKA highlights the latest insights into the vital role they have in maximising safety.
9 News 15 Addressing the uneven playing field in health
Kate Woodhead considers the actions needed to tackle an uneven playing field in health and to shift the emphasis on prevention. She looks at some of the key ambitions that have been outlined by NHSE, the Government and Integrated Care Boards, to tackle health inequalities.
19 Tackling the AMR crisis in healthcare
Experts at the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) conference recently discussed the scale of the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis, the hidden ways in which healthcare is contributing to the problem, and the actions that could be taken by healthcare professionals to slow the march of AMR. Louise Frampton reports.
25 IDSc 2024 highlights major changes ahead
The biggest changes in decades, affecting the decontamination sector, will be revealed and explored at this year’s IDSc annual conference – from the latest plans for registration to a new competency framework. IDSc Chair, Trevor Garcia explains why attending this year’s event is so important.
33 Understanding steam sterilisation failures
Dr. Tim Sandle discusses some of the common issues encountered in the sterilisation of surgical instruments, using autoclave technologies. He argues that to make a thorough evaluation of sterilisation, reliance cannot be restricted to chemical or biological indicators, and a complete understanding of hazards and physical operating parameters is required.
39 Role of glove quality in maximising staff safety
Gloves are commonly over-used in healthcare settings, and an incorrect choice of gloves can result in important consequences, such as increased risk of cross-transmission, exposure of healthcare providers to increase risk, or increased cost and waste. Jon Otter highlights some key considerations and best practice to ensure optimum safety.
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com Volume 23 I Issue 10 I November 2024 50 Critical interventions to address AMR threat THE CLINICAL SERVICES JOURNAL
Role of glove quality in maximising safety
Tackling the AMR crisis in healthcare IDSc 2024 highlights major changes ahead
More than 39 million deaths from antibiotic-resistant infections are predicted between now and 2050, according to the latest analysis. This month, World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week seeks to raise awareness of this existential threat to humankind. So, what action must be taken on a national and global level?
57 Identifying patients most at risk of gastric carcinogenesis There is a need for targeted, fast and reliable diagnostics at the point of patient care to identify curable precancerous disease stages that enable timely treatment and better patient outcomes for patients with gastric cancer. Dr. Cinzia Papadia, a Consultant Gastroenterologist at Barts Health NHS Trust and Honorary Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, discusses the use of a first-line case selection tool for gastric cancer risk.
61 PCOS testing and the need for better guidance
Women with long term conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome are often left feeling abandoned and alone. Our healthcare system could do so much more to recognise – and therefore mitigate – their suffering. Dr. Anne Connolly discusses the latest advances in diagnosis and the need for better guidance.
64 Heart disease risk underestimated in women
Dr. Jonathan Byrne, UK Lead of the UK’s Valve for Life programme and a Consultant Cardiologist at King’s College Hospital, warns that heart disease is frequently underestimated and misdiagnosed in women. In this article, he highlights the key issues and the gender disparities in UK heart care services.
68 Pioneering approaches to managing bleeding
Walter Danker & Gerard Llanos discuss the burden of surgical bleeding, the importance of haemostatic agents and how management of surgical bleeding can be improved.
72 Disinfection of transvaginal ultrasound probes
Following concerns over infections arising from the use of ultrasound probes, there has been an increased focus on disinfection methods. A study, by the University of New South Wales, has investigated the efficacy of UVC high-level disinfection in reducing contamination.
77 Discrimination stops temp workers speaking up
An investigation has revealed that a culture of fear and discrimination is preventing temporary staff from raising concerns over safety.
November 2024 I
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Peter Søgaard considers how digital technology could be harnessed to reduce admissions and improve rehabilitation, with the aim of providing improved patient care and reduced pressures on the acute sector.
Volume 23 I Issue 10 I November 2024
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