From the editor


Old foes and new threats


On the web...


Keep up with the latest developments across the industry by visiting www.practical-patient-care.com


Practical Patient Care Issue 28


Editorial Editor Peter Littlejohns peter.littlejohns@progressivemediainternational.com


Sub-editors Lizzie Waymouth, Nikki Peach Group art director Henrik Williams Designer Martin Faulkner Production manager Dave Stanford Head of content Jake Sharp


Commercial Client services executive Ruchita Marwaha Sales manager Martin John Business development manager Shamraiz Ayub shamraiz.ayub@progressivemediainternational.com Managing director William Crocker


Practical Patient Care is published by Progressive Media International, a member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations.


Registered in England No. 06212740.


40–42 Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8EB, UK. Tel: +44 20 7936 6400 Fax: +44 7724 9800 www.practical-patient-care.com


ISSN 2041-2436 © 2021 Progressive Media International.


All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically, photocopied or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher and copyright owner. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the publisher accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions.


The products and services advertised are those of individual authors, and are not necessarily endorsed by or connected with the publisher. The opinions expressed in the articles within this publication are those of individual authors, and not necessarily those of the publisher.


SUBSCRIPTIONS Single issue price: UK £38 EU €59 US $78 RoW $78 One year: Two year:


Tel: +44 845 155 1845 (local rate) Fax: +44 20 8269 7877 Email: cs@progressivemediainternational.com Progressive Media International Customer Subscriptions Department, Riverbridge House, Ground Floor, South Tower, Anchor Boulevard, Crossways, Kent DA2 6SL


Printed by Stephens & George Print Group Images used under licence from Shutterstock.com


hile the world continues to grapple with Covid-19, there’s growing evidence that multi-drug resistant variants of old foes like tuberculosis could return. The culprit? Our overuse of antibiotics – which, if anything, has been exacerbated by the pandemic. On page 12, Abi Millar explores how using antimicrobial susceptibility testing to better tailor treatment to diseases could be vital to preventing the emergence of superbugs.


W


A more obvious effect of the pandemic has been how tough it has been to see a doctor in person over the past year and a half. While the lifting of restrictions reintroduced us to many aspects of normality, doctors’ offices continue to be cautious, screening the risk of ailments suffered by patients over the phone before giving them the go-ahead to visit. Physicians and patients appear to have taken well to communicating remotely, especially in cases of long-term illnesses. On page 36, Mae Losasso learns from two wound-healing specialists how doctors have been managing one of the more challenging conditions to treat – chronic wounds. Staying with the theme of wound care, on page 40, Allie Anderson helps us understand some of the complexity involved in treating tissue injuries by picking the brain of an expert who makes decisions about how to do so at work every day. Sometimes, there’s no substitute for critical care, and as we move deeper into the autumn months experts warn there’s a high possibility that influenza and Covid could lead to increased stress on hospitals well into winter. On page 31, we look at how multiplex diagnostic testing could help identify which respiratory virus is responsible for what can be a very similar set of symptoms. In the meantime, medical experts are urging people to get vaccinated against the main threats so that hospital admissions don’t become unmanageable. Provided the majority heed the advice, we could be in for a dose of normality alongside our sherry at Christmas.


UK £58 EU €92 US $119 RoW $120 UK £93 EU €144 US $190 RoW $191


Peter Littlejohns, editor


For reprint, e-print and licensing enquiries Please contact: Media Licensing Co, The Grange, 3 Waverley Road, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 8BB. Tel: +44 203 773 9320 or email info@medialicensingco.com


Practical Patient Care / www.practical-patient-care.com 3


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57