The TASKI Trolley aims to make cleaning easier

EFFORTS to fight healthcare associated infections will be supported with the launch this week of a new modular workstation designed to support the latest in antimicrobial cleaning methods. The TASKI Trolley from JohnsonDiversey has been designed to improve overall performance, efficiency and sustainability in a wide variety of applications. Designed from the ground up as a fully-integrated system, the trolley can be configured to support microfibre, spray-and-wipe, wet-mop and general cleaning applications, all of which are used to help cut down on harmful bugs such as MRSA and C. difficile in healthcare buildings. It has also been designed so all tools are easy to reach with push bars and extension trays to help reduce the risk of musculo-skeletal disorders – one of the main causes of time off work in the UK. A spokesman for JohnsonDiversey said: “The overall design of the trolley has been devised to support, rather than dictate, the adaptable and evolving requirements of modern cleaning operations. Six core configurations based around just two chassis models have been devised for the commonest cleaning applications. However, the modular concept means customers can adapt these or create a layout matched to their own unique requirement using the tools and equipment in the system.” The chassis has smooth lines and rounded corners and edges to further eliminate potential traps for dust and bacteria.

 

DOMAINEX and Pharmidex have announced a strategic alliance combining their expertise in innovative technologies to provide an integrated, high-quality drug discovery services platform. The joint service will amalgamate Domainex’s LeadBuilder technology for cost-effective hit-finding with Pharmidex’s renowned expertise and in vitro and in vivo capabilities in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics. The alliance will have a particular emphasis on tackling the most-challenging of scientific problems including novel or ‘difficult’ drug targets. Dr Eddy Littler of Domainex said: “We have both identified clients that wish to be supported with an integrated discovery and lead characterisation platform. By forming this alliance we can offer this option to those clients who need it.” Dr Mohammad Alavijeh of Pharmidex added: “We believe this appliance of skills and expertise will enable us to extend our client-base in multiple drug discovery sectors.”

 

SMALL companies operating in the UK life sciences market are being offered the chance to partner with other organisations to ensure continued development in the sector. A co-promotional agreement will see private company membership service, myM-link, promote partnering opportunities from Medical Device Licensing’s (MDL) client companies directly to its member companies. Currently, MDL, a division of UTEK Europe, offers companies the chance to promote their partnering and licensing opportunities to the biggest names in the biopharmaceutical, life sciences and healthcare industries worldwide, a specialist market traditionally beyond the reach of smaller companies. The new agreement will help make this market more accessible. Sue Wilde of myM-link said: “Through the agreement members will have access to opportunities to provide their expertise, products and services to large pharmaceutical, biotech and device manufacturing companies. This is a group that small/medium companies would traditionally have had difficulty engaging with, prior to this exciting agreement. It also comes at a good time for SMEs in the UK which are emerging from the recession and looking for new markets.” Mark McBride of UTEK Europe added: “We feel there is great potential within the SME community for solutions to be developed addressing issues raised by the partnering and licensing activities of our client companies.”

 

The Brady label attachment system

A LABEL attachment system is enabling staff at a histology unit in Cardiff to put an end to hand-writing sample identification on tissue cassettes. The BSP31 model and associated labels from Brady is being used in Cardiff University’s School of Biosciences to process around 300 experimental samples a month mainly from cancer research projects undertaken by the university’s genetics group. The unit previously used pencil to identify samples, causing a number of potential problems as unit manager, Derek Scarborough, explained: “This method required writing very small in order to fit all the neccessary information into the available space and the marking sometimes became smudged, while reading other people’s handwriting could be problematic. However, using Brady’s chemical-resistant labels and the new attachment system, all our cassettes are permanently identified with absolute clarity. We can print one, two or three lines of text and know that the label will remain readable after all the histology processing and it cannot become detached.”

 

COOK Medical has launched its latest product range aimed at the millions of people suffering from peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and other circulatory disorders. Due to be unveiled at this year’s Leipzig Interventional Course in Germany, the new products form an integral part of the company’s advancing leg therapies programme, designed specifically to address the dynamic circulation of the iliac, femoropopliteal and infrapopliteal vascular systems. A key feature is the Zilver PTX Drug-Eluting Peripheral Stent, the world’s first drug-eluting stent approved for the superficial femoral artery. Other innovations include the Micropuncture Introducer Set for the placement of wire guides into the vascular system, Approach CTO and Approach Hydro ST microwire guides designed for crossing lesions for smooth advancement through the vessels, and the Advance 35LP and Advance 14LP balloon dilation catheters

 

BROMLEY Primary Care Trust (PCT) has installed ZENworks Configuration Management to remotely manage more than 800 PCs at GP surgeries across the borough. The solution, from Novell, has reduced the roll-out time for new software updates and fixes from three months to just one week, saving time for IT managers and improving the security of patient information. Before the implementation, the IT team had to travel to each surgery in person to fix problems or install updates to PCs and servers, meaning a simple update could take three months to roll out. The new solution gives systems managers a real-time view of all computers on the network, making it easy to see the hardware configuration on individual machines and what software it runs. They can also take remote control of any PC easily and securely to resolve common problems. Paul Stebles, GP service delivery manager at the PCT, said: “We now get users back online more quickly than before, helping them work more productively. It makes life easier for the IT team and delivers considerable savings in terms of travel expenses. Because of the time savings, the implications for security are significant. We can select and test each security update before deciding whether to roll it out. This gives us more control over the infrastructure and helps keep confidential patient data safe. Ultimately, a more-secure and reliable IT infrastructure will enable us to deliver a better service to the doctors and patients of Bromley.”

 

One of three Artis zee systems installed at Manchester Royal Infirmary

MANCHESTER Royal Infirmary has installed three Artis zee interventional angiography systems in the main X-ray department and endoscopy unit. Two of the systems are the Artis zee Multipurpose with flexible architecture, while the third is the Artis zee Ceiling with large flat detector for flexible positioning around the patient. All are made by Siemens Healthcare. The X-ray department will use the Multipurpose for a variety of barium and other contrast studies including hysterosalpingograms. The endoscopy unit will use the same model for endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography and interventional procedures of the gastrointestinal system. All vascular diagnostic and interventional procedures are performed on the Ceiling model. “The systems provide us with improved image quality,” said Alison Maw, directorate manager for clinical radiology at Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. “The endoscopy system has allowed us to increase the capacity in the main X-ray department, reducing delays for procedures and allowing for service development. The excellent image quality of the systems means patients will receive reduced radiation and contrast medium doses.”