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RECENT FEATURE ARTICLES

Combining AI and whole slide imaging: a faster way to evaluate lupus nephritis

Evaluating lupus nephritis presents significant challenges, with pathological evaluation requiring the participation of experienced pathologists, as well as being timeconsuming and prone to human error and misjudgement. Here, Wei Juan Wong explains how a combination of whole-slide imaging and artificial intelligence accelerates this important work.

Using smart financing to make the most of the growth in diagnostics

The rapidly growing diagnostics market represents a unique opportunity for laboratory technology vendors. Sally-Anne Whybrow looks at the sales enablement techniques giving vendors a competitive advantage.

Moving on from scepticism to embrace the benefits of digital pathology

The adoption of digital pathology continues to see a remarkable surge in the post- COVID-19 era, with pathologists worldwide embracing the technology. Here, Dr Melissa Alexander, a practising pathologist and Medical Director for Leica Biosystems, shares her experience of transitioning from conventional pathology to digital pathology, including the challenges faced during the transition, but also the advantages of remote practice, collaboration, and quick second opinions.

Liquid biopsy applications: a selection of current research interest

Liquid biopsy is a minimally invasive approach to determine the presence of malignant tumours, looking for evidence of tumour cells and cancer cell DNA circulating in blood, and potentially also in body fluids such as urine, sputum and saliva. Here, Pathology in Practice Science Editor Brian Nation compiles a small selection of recent research interest in this fascinating field.

Problems to be solved; work to be done – reducing errors and lost samples

The Anatomical Pathology laboratory at the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board services the needs of a sizable local population, as well as specialist services further into Wales and other surrounding areas. Here Pathology in Practice learns how a commercial partnership has enabled significant improvements in reducing errors and lost samples by implementing new systems for sample tracking and storage.

IBMS Congress 2023: more opportunities to link learning to the laboratory

September 2023 will see the return of the biennial IBMS Congress event to the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. The focus once again will be on the very best that biomedical science and commercial colleagues have to offer. Here, Pathology in Practice provides the second of three scientific programme previews in the run up to this important four-day event.

Bacteriophages vs. antibiotic resistance: opportunities in the latest scientific literature

In a post-pandemic world, it is perhaps counter-intuitive to suggest that viral agents could contribute to medicine’s fight against the rise of antimicrobial resistance. However, the use of bacteriophages against bacterial infection predates the antibiotic era, so what are some of the opportunities currently being explored? Here, Pathology in Practice Science Editor Brian Nation compiles a small selection of recent research interest.

IBMS Congress 2023: a further opportunity to link learning to the laboratory

The fifteenth iteration in the biennial IBMS Congress series will return to the International Convention Centre in Birmingham in a little over three months. The focus once again will be on the very best that biomedical science and commercial colleagues have to offer. Here, Pathology in Practice provides the first of three further previews in the run up to this important four-day event.

Blood culture pre-analytical KPIs – The next challenge in microbiology?

The blood culture pathway is often thought of as a relatively straightforward one; sample to laboratory and result to clinician but, in reality, is a complex network of multidisciplinary stakeholders that is dependent on timely interventions and limited by availability of services and diagnostic tools, says Kate Donnachie.

Delete, retain or utilise? How to approach digital pathology storage

For NHS Trusts and healthcare bodies across Europe, making the move to digital pathology has been a huge undertaking, but there is still much to learn. There’s a risk that planning ahead, especially with a view to the size and type of storage required, could be forgotten about as purchasers look to get the best short-term deals, says Imogen Fitt.

Pre-analytical errors: how to detect and interpret HIL interference

In diagnostic testing errors can occur at any stage of testing, with pre-analytical interference from haemolysis, icterus, and lipaemia (HIL) being particularly common. HIL interference can lead to inaccurate results and is therefore a major concern for clinical laboratories. Jason Armstrong explores the causes and effects of HIL interference and discuss strategies for its detection and mitigation in clinical laboratory analysis.

Medical devices and IVDs – the dawn of the UK regulatory age

The UK is currently in the midst of ongoing changes to the regulation of medical devices and IVDs, with significant potential impact on pathology professionals. This is a complex overhaul with different aspects being introduced over the coming years. The next step in this process has now been communicated and it’s changed things up, explains BIVDA’s Ashleigh Batchen.

Cellular pathology – things to consider when going digital

Digital pathology has been embraced by cellular pathology; but laboratories need to think beyond just a scanner and storage, explains Jake Morrow. To be fully utilised the new technology needs to be backed up with laboratory information systems with enhanced features to help drive quality workflow and support clinical integrated reporting.

Assessing critical bleeding: quality and governance standards

Fibrinogen is an essential part of the blood clotting process, and testing aids decision-making in critical care situations, notably post-partum haemorrhage. A novel POCT device now brings this to near-patient settings, but, for such a vital test, accuracy and quality control are key, as Pathology in Practice explains.

Topics in microbiology and infection: a review of the BSMT conference

The British Society for Microbial Technology held its 38th Annual Microbiology Conference at the RAF Museum in Hendon, London, on 11 May, focusing on current infection issues facing laboratories and clinicians. Here, Dr Mark Wilks, Chair of the BSMT (pictured), and others on the committee, offer a review of the day’s proceedings.

Screening for CPE: aiming to limit the rise of antimicrobial resistance

The increasing incidence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales is an imminent public health concern. Here, Terry Whalley highlights the importance of raising awareness of this among decision-makers in a healthcare environment, and discusses how practical and implementable screening could help trusts stay one step ahead of this global threat.

The Power to Disrupt: point-of-care testing in the modern NHS

The latest in Thornhill Healthcare Events’ series of conferences on point-of-care testing took place at the end of March in Nottingham. Once again a wide variety of speakers had been gathered to share their experiences of using near-patient diagnostics within the modern NHS with an engaged audience made up of healthcare professionals from across the health service. Pathology in Practice reports on the day’s presentations.

The continued evolution of PCR diagnostics into the community

James Beckett explains how the use of molecular point-of-care testing (POCT) has seen exponential growth in recent years, from its hospital-based origins to its widespread community use for detection of infections, sexual health screening and, more recently, respiratory disease diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Improving efficiency in oestradiol testing for rapid IVF support

Testing for oestradiol is a crucial first step in the time-sensitive IVF process. Detailed here are the steps a French-based laboratory was able to take to automate this previously time-consuming and labour-intensive task safely and effectively, while still meeting important deadlines.

The importance of an integrated diagnostic pathway within sepsis care

Current challenges within sepsis diagnostics and AMR show the need for a standardised blood culture pathway. Stefan Schraag explores how the med tech industry can support this through greater education and innovation. This article follows on from a stakeholder event taking a holistic view of the blood culture pathway and encouraging diagnostic integration beyond the walls of laboratories.

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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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