RECENT FEATURES

Beating the drum in support of diagnostics and patient safety
Earlier in the summer, Olympus UK hosted its annual user group meeting in Leicestershire. It proved to be an invaluable forum for sharing customer experiences and building on its reputation as an all-round pathology and healthcare solutions provider.
Randox Laboratories: the future of healthcare
Randox Laboratories has impacted on the world of clinical diagnostics in a ground-breaking manner. Worldwide, it is ranked 23rd out of over 1600 companies in the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) market, it is the only British manufacturer of clinical diagnostic products and is the sixth largest manufacturer of clinical chemistry reagents.
Pathos processing: the Liverpool experience
Conventional tissue processing in histopathology can be a time-consuming exercise. However, use of the very latest technology is having a major impact on working patterns in histopathology, as Emma Colgan explains.
Purpose-built archiving facility helps laboratories release valuable space
CellNass, the Human Tissue Authority-licensed archive management service located in Newtown, Wales, recently completed the development of a new dedicated facility that increases the available capacity to archive microscope slides, tissue blocks and other human tissue samples.
Design and management of a GP-based INR testing and dosing scheme
Interested in setting up a community GP-based international normalised ratio testing scheme but have no idea where to start? Healthcare professionals from Truro explain how an existing community GP-based scheme has been set up and is managed on a daily basis.
Improved workflow aids cystic fibrosis gene therapy research
Researchers in the UK are at the forefront of developing a gene therapy for cystic fibrosis, an inherited disease that affects 50,000 individuals around the world. Although various organ systems are involved, it is lung disease that is most significant in terms of morbidity and mortality. Here, research scientist Stephanie Sumner-Jones explains how the ABgene SuperPlate is making a difference to her work.
Cellular pathology and the new, direct route to Sakura
Simon Cutts talks about the products, services and new developments available from Sakura Finetek and the advantages that these will bring to staff in cellular pathology in the UK and Ireland.
National point-of-care testing meeting provides a wealth of information
A recent Siemens’ two-day point-of-care user meeting provided delegates from across the UK with the very latest information on company offerings in this important area of 21st-century healthcare.
Improved diagnosis and monitoring of H. pylori infection
The 15-minute RAPID Hp StAR stool antigen test is a costeffective, non-invasive and reliable test for Helicobacter pylori. Here, Barbara Fallowfield looks at a methodology that shows improved sensitivity and specificity.
Three become one around Morecambe Bay
University Hospitals Morecambe Bay Trust is in the process of creating an integrated laboratory information system to bring together its three separate pathology sites. When the new system is integrated into the electronic patient record early next year, the trust will have a community-wide, web-based system for viewing patient records, ordering tests and interrogating test results.
Automation of vitamin D analysis provides higher test throughput
Manual methods for vitamin D analysis are both laborious and prone to error. Now, the combination of a new kit designed to measure 25-OH-vitamin D2/3 and an automated liquid handler can reduce the pressure on laboratory staff, as Jacqueline Rippington explains.
Cardiovascular disease: use of in vitro and in vivo diagnostic techniques
In the diagnosis of heart disease, a combination of specific biomarkers and sophisticated imaging techniques now helps to ensure that comprehensive, timely and cost-effective care is available to patients. Sherry Faye explains.
Portsmouth opens flagship NHS blood sciences unit
Increasingly, clinical chemistry, haematology and immunology are coming together to form blood sciences units. One such highly successful amalgamation of pathology services on the south coast is supported by Beckman Coulter.
Domestic refrigerators in the laboratory: bliss or a recipe for disaster?
Using refrigerators not designed specifically for medical and scientific purposes can have severe consequences. Here, Robin Gregson from Labcold provides guidance on choosing the correct product for a particular environment.
Olympus UK opens its doors to customers at new HQ launch
Earlier this year, Olympus UK opened the doors of its new Watford headquarters to laboratory scientist keen to explore the company’s new facilities and learn about its latest state-of-the-art systems. Leanne Annereau reports.
Bacteriology processing: a paradigm shift
Bacteriology is one of the original pathology disciplines yet one of the last to embrace automation. However, a new methodology from Dutch company Kiestra is making a significant impact in Salisbury, as Stuart Matthews and Maggie Skyrme explain.
Arenaissance in the world of microscopy
Later in June, The Royal Microscopical Society’s biennial MICROSCIENCE meeting will return to ExCeL in London’s Docklands. Three days of the very best that microscopy, imaging and analysis has to offer is on the programme.
Flash, bang, wallop… what a photo opportunity!
Preventing the misidentification of patients receiving blood transfusions has been targeted as an important factor in reducing adverse events. But ensuring that this happens need not cost the earth, as Barry Hill discovered when he examined one company’s low-cost solution to the problem.
High-quality service delivery: making it happen
New approaches to instrumentation and automation are helping to ensure high-quality service delivery in pathology. However, the implementation stage that follows delivery is critical in bringing the solution to life. Here, Carla Deakin takes a closer look at factors that are central to a successful implementation.
Rapid detection of C. difficile infection: early diagnosis saves lives
Investigations into recent outbreaks of Clostridium difficile infection have raised concerns in NHS trusts already facing many other pressures. Julie Elston discusses the importance and impact of C. difficile infection and the tests that are available to hospital laboratories for the rapid detection and monitoring of this potentially life-threatening hospital-acquired infection.
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FEATURE ARTICLE

National point-of-care testing meeting provides a wealth of information
A recent Siemens’ two-day point-of-care user meeting provided delegates from across the UK with the very latest information on company offerings in this important area of 21st-century healthcare.

PRODUCT ARTICLE

C. difficile: the complete picture
Inverness Medical has introduced its new TECHLAB C. DIFF QUIK CHEK COMPLETE rapid test as an in vitro diagnostic aid for Clostridium difficileassociated disease (CDAD).