Sterilin has formed an action plan to enable it to meet demand for single-use plastics in the event the swine flu pandemic worsens

1. A LEADING manufacturer of single-use plastics has put in place an action plan to help ensure hospital laboratories are kept supplied with disposable testing products in the event the swine flu pandemic worsens. Sterilin has developed the plan to protect the laboratory plastics supply chain if expert predictions of a huge surge in flu cases are accurate. A company spokesman said: “Single-use plastics such as sample collection and transport containers, pipettes, petri dishes and multiwall plates play a daily part in clinical diagnostic testing laboratories. Should the pandemic strike as worst case scenarios predict, our action plans means we can provide these essential products even with a reduced workforce from our purpose-built facility in South Wales.”

Staff working alone at Reading Scientific Services Ltd now have added protection from Identicom units

2. LABORATORY staff working alone during evenings and at weekends are being given increased protection following the procurement of an award-winning safety device. Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL), a provider of science and technology outsourcing to the global pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, has signed up to the SoloProtect service from Connexion2, which includes six Identicom units designed for lone staff working in buildings or out in the field. Will Jones, IT manager at RSSL, explained: “We offer a unique emergency response service to the pharmaceutical industry 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This often necessitates staff having to work alone at night or at the weekend. We were aware that our last lone worker alarm system was inadequate and we decided to investigate other options. We now have six of the Identicom units which are pooled by staff on call and feedback has been very positive.” The SoloProtect package combines the Identicom devices with user training, 24-hour manned monitoring and pre and post-sale customer support as well as inclusive airtime and SIM. A spokesman at Connexion2 said: “An employee can press an amber alert button and leave details of their whereabouts, which notifies our monitoring centre. If the red alert is then pressed, the centre’s support staff can discreetly listen to what is happening and make an assessment. Should a worker become incapacitated the ‘man down’ function automatically raises a red alert.”

 

3. BD MEDICAL has this week announced the UK launch of the latest BD Nexiva Closed IV Catheter System designed to help reduce healthcare workers’ risk of needlestick injuries and minimise exposure to blood. The system includes the BD Q-SyteTM Luer Access Split Septum to help reduce catheter-related bloodstream infections. The new version of the BD Nexiva system introduces key developments such as a new non-removable pinch clamp for easy, one-handed activation; soft stabilisation designed to decrease catheter movement and associated complications; and a new catheter grip design which accommodates the various insertion techniques employed by clinicians. Commenting on the launch, BD medical business director, Suzanne Grant, said: “The latest BD Nexiva system reflects our ongoing efforts to improve clinical efficiency and patient comfort in infusion therapy. It not only simplifies the IV therapy process, but also is designed to remove some typical sources of risk.” Studies have shown needlestick injuries are a significant risk to the physical and psychological health of nurses and cause significant additional costs to healthcare provision.

 

Roche's new marker solution will help with the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

4. ROCHE has launched a new marker solution to help with the management and treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) following the publication of new guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). The Elecsys nti-CCP assay is one of the first fully automated, second generation tests for the determination of human igG autoantibodies to cyclic citrullinated pertides (anti-CCP) in serum or plasma. Unlike other RA markers, such as RF and c-reactive protein (CRP), anti-CCP is the only highly-specific assay for RA and can predict the eventual development of the condition when found in undifferentiated arthritis. Available through the Roche MODULAR Analytics cobas 6000 and cobas 4000 systems, the solution has been launched following the publication of NICE guidelines which recommend testing for anti-CCP. A spokesman for Roche said: “The Elecsys Anti-CCP assay provides excellent precision from a small sample volume, ensuring reliable results in just 18 minutes. It is a valuable diagnostic and prognostic marker for RA and with our cobas systems means that clinical laboratories can consolidate testing for different autoimmune tests and CRP on a single serum work area platform.”

 

5. CANON has launched a new retinal camera which aims to improve the speed and efficiency of examinations as well as increasing early diagnosis of eye disease. The CX-1 allows examiners to scan for more than one disease with the same unit and unlike other cameras on the market does not require the use of eye drops to dilate the pupil. A spokesman for Canon said: “Retinal diseases can have devastating consequences so early diagnosis is crucial. The CX-1 is a compact and portable hybrid camera that combines both mydriatic and non-mydriatic modes and switches between the two with a simple touch of a button. As well as saving on equipment investment, this function also means examiners can screen for more than one disease, for example glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, with the same unit. This saves time and removes the need for repeat appointments.”

 

Radiology staff at Queen Margaret Hospital in Fife have taken delivery of a new MAMMOMAT Inspiration Full-Field Digital Mammography system from Siemens Healthcare

6. TWO hospitals have procured new scanning technology in a bid to speed up diagnosis and reduce waiting lists. Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and Queen Margaret Hospital in Fife, Scotland, have purchased new equipment from Siemens Healthcare. At Fife, the hospital has taken delivered of a MAMMOMAT Inspiration Full-Field Direct Digital Mammography system which includes a stereotactic biopsy attachment and syngo MammoReport workstation. The Cambridge hospital now has a SOMATOM Emotion CT machine which can be used for a range of imaging requirements including oncology and routine outpatient work. “This latest installation from Siemens enables us to manage targets set by the Government, providing us with the capability to see 150 extra patients a week,” said Barbara Housden, superintendent radiographer at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. 

 

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