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RECENT FEATURE ARTICLES

‘The biggest and best yet’ – IBMS Congress hailed a success

Pathology in Practice editor Andy Myall presents a quick wrap up of the 2023 IBMS Congress, including some thoughts on the event and the Institute’s key activities from Chief Executive David Wells.

Cannibalise, commoditise and consolidate – using AI in digital pathology

Signify Research casts an eye into the future of AI in clinical digital pathology following the publication of its most recent market analysis. To have the greatest clinical impact AI vendors must evolve to meet the demands of tomorrow’s customers. But, asks Imogen Fitt, what will this evolution look like?

New solution offers high quality, high speed staining and adaptable workflows

The recent BOND-PRIME launch by Leica Biosystems introduces technological advancements to help laboratories maintain staining quality with increased workloads. Novel staining technology ensures even tissue coverage, with active fluid control and airgapped exchange to minimise the risk of carryover; while the system incorporates all aspects of Universal Access offering ultimate flexibility.

The new normal – adapting to the new era of winter respiratory diseases

Over the last few years, we’ve all witnessed the toll that overwhelming caseloads of COVID-19, influenza A/B and RSV testing can have on healthcare settings. The resulting push for more accurate and discriminatory methods to aid the management of patients presenting with respiratory and/or flu-like symptoms has highlighted the importance of developing a test panel that is both efficient and clinically relevant, says Dr Andrew Birnie.

Health Economic Model: Making the financial case for digital pathology

The cost/benefit ratio of digital pathology is particularly hard to quantify – especially with so many variables in play for NHS trusts and laboratory groups. Now, however, Source LDPath has introduced a new Health Economic Model to its offering, which the company says will make the departmental benefits of incorporating a digital pathology workflow crystal clear.

All together now: Summary of the 2022 Annual SHOT Report

The 2022 Annual Report from the Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) scheme has been published recently, once again collecting and analysing anonymised information on serious adverse events and reactions in blood transfusion from all healthcare organisations. Here SHOT Laboratory Incident Specialist Victoria Tuckley summarises its key points and recommendations.

ISO 15189:2022 – How do the changes impact point-of-care testing?

ISO 15189:2022 arrived in November 2022 although its impact is not fully understood with individual organisations looking to conduct a full gap analysis against the ISO 15189:2012 and 22870:2016. Lead biomedical scientist Tony Cambridge looks at what the changes mean for those involved in point-of-care testing.

Testing for kidney disease: a selection of interest in the current literature

Kidney function tests on urine and blood are a ubiquitous feature of the workload in clinical chemistry laboratories. Disease often has no symptoms until damage to the kidney is at an advanced stage, hence pathology testing is a vital service. Here, Pathology in Practice Science Editor Brian Nation compiles a small selection of recent research interest in nephrology.

Osmolality: using automation to enhance this powerful screening tool

Osmolality testing is a powerful screening tool which provides quick and accurate diagnoses for a wide range of disorders. With continuing pressure on laboratories and their staff, a new osmometer with increased automation, ease of use, and workflow flexibility also offers further features to minimise errors and simplify the testing process.

Driving diagnostic integration beyond the walls of the laboratory

This summer a range of healthcare professionals, sepsis nurses and phlebotomists attended two ‘Saving Time Changes Lives’ events, organised by Becton Dickinson. Taking place during National Pathology Week, this year’s theme ‘Pathologists and Patients’ was highlighted with the topics at the event covering the importance of a quality diagnostic pathway with a risk-based approach to blood cultures, with a comprehensive approach to patient care. Here, Bruce Caldwell reviews the two events.

Digital morphology: What advances mean for modern laboratories

Advances in technology mean that moving from microscopes to digital alternatives can now be achieved without sacrificing image quality. But this isn’t about the technology. Professor Gina Zini reflects on the key benefits of digital developments, including better quality screening, saved time for morphologists, better clinical collaboration, improved training, and sharing expertise.

A multi-dimensional approach to improving gastric cancer diagnosis

In the UK and Europe, too many cases of gastric cancer are still coming to light at a later, less treatable stage. In contrast, high-risk Asian countries have shown real progress in significantly improving outcomes by screening populations for early signs of the disease. Tamara Matysiak-Budnik discusses how we can learn from the progress that has been made in high-incidence countries, and explores a multi-step testing approach.

Genome amplification techniques: a selection of current research interest

The repeated replication of a focused segment of genetic material by polymerising nucleotides is just one concept applicable to numerous fields in modern molecular biology and related sciences. Here, Pathology in Practice Science Editor Brian Nation compiles a small selection of recent research interest in this rapidly developing field.

Rapid point-of-care testing: an important tool in virus management

Royal Derby Hospital operates robust point-of-care testing as part of its virus management programme, and implementation of year-round respiratory syncytial virus testing last year resulted in the discovery of an unexpected summer surge in cases, as Yusuf Gray explains.

Security and privacy – benefits of the cloud for clinical information systems

With increasing demands on healthcare technology, choosing a cloud-based solution over on-premises infrastructure allows enhanced security, seamless accessibility as well as extra flexibility in the future. Olivier Goudon outlines the capabilities of cloud architecture for healthcare processes, while also meeting the considerable challenges of GDPR when handling patient data.

Establishing a national POCT network for Wales – challenges and benefits

Annette Thomas offers a personal reflection on her role in setting up and developing point-of-care testing services in Wales, culminating in the establishment of Wales’s National POCT Strategy earlier this year highlighting the vision for the delivery of services along with the creation of a more formal Strategy Board.

Passion for pathology: how consultancy can collaborate with the NHS

After a long career in the NHS as a Biomedical Scientist, Chloe Ashford-Smith moved to a health consultancy role with professional services firm KPMG. Here she explains how her new position allows her to collaborate with other experienced health professionals, working as a team to support the NHS and ‘speak the same language’ as their clients.

Unveiling the sthemO haemostasis solution with unique dual technology

Stago’s new high-throughput, fully automated coagulation analyser delivers precision, speed and productivity as demonstrated in recently published studies. The company has worked in blood-based diagnostics for over 60 years, becoming a preferred commercial partner to coagulation laboratory specialists.

Antimicrobial resistance: vital factors to beat the silent pandemic

The future of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) depends on what we do today. Better diagnostics, infection prevention, and surveillance are vital factors in the fight against AMR, argues Greg Quinn.

The only constant is change: reviewing the Clinisys customer summit 2023

Clinisys’ annual conference at The Belfry saw a record number of national experts, pathologists, and IT leaders gather to discuss how change drives innovation in pathology and innovation drives further change. Matthew Fouracre reports from a busy – and optimistic – two days.

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Upcoming Events

Pathology Horizons 2024

MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel, Bath
18-20 April, 2024

Diagnostics North East Conference 2024

The Catalyst, Newcastle upon Tyne
19 April, 2024

ECCMID 2024 - European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Fira Gran Via, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
27-30 April 2024

British Society for Microbial Technology Annual Microbiology Conference

UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London
2 May 2024

EQA Reports: Interpreting Key Information & Troubleshooting Tips

ONLINE - Zoom
Thursday 16th May 2024

Participants’ Meeting: UK NEQAS Immunology, Immunochemistry & Allergy

Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Howard Street, Sheffield
24th May 2024

Access the latest issue of Pathology In Practice on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Pathology In Practice app from your device's App store

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