RECENT FEATURE ARTICLES
Faecal immunochemical testing: introducing the service at NHS Tayside
Faecal immunochemical testing is a fairly recent advance in the screening of patients for inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer. Success in Scotland has shown that implementation of FIT can reduce the number of unnecessary colonoscopies, as Judith Strachan explains.- Feature
New approach to D-dimer testing for the elderly in the emergency setting
With publication of the final part of Stago’s DiET study into venous thromboembolism, Laurence Loï considers the role of D-dimer testing when clinicians are faced with elderly patients in the emergency setting.- Feature
Congress: science, the profession and industry
Next month the twelfth in the biennial Congress series will return to the International Convention Centre in Birmingham, and the focus once again will be on the very best that biomedical science and commercial colleagues have to offer. Here, Pathology in Practice provides a brief overview of the four-day event.- Feature
Antibiotic stewardship: good news, bad news and the latest updates
Although the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has issued a warning that the last line of antibiotics is failing, there are encouraging signs that antibiotic stewardship is improving, with healthcare and veterinary professionals making positive changes in prescribing practice.- Feature
Laboratory medicine: service consolidation is not the answer
Pathology services will become strategically more, not less, important as healthcare continues to embrace the world of preventative medicine. Here, Paul Lindsell argues against the case for consolidation and calls for increased investment.- Feature
Haemoglobinopathies: screening using capillary electrophoresis
Beth Mytton talks with laboratory staff to gain an insight into the experiences of four hospital sites now using capillary electrophoresis as a front-line method in the diagnosis of haemoglobinopathies.- Feature
Standard uncertainty, the building block of measurement uncertainty
The third in this series of articles on individual aspects of the assessment of uncertainty of measurement sees Stephen MacDonald consider the common currency of standard uncertainty, and provide some examples.- Feature
Turbocharging calprotectin testing for various intestinal inflammatory conditions
Meeting the demand for increasing faecal calprotectin assay requests has seen testing for this biomarker increase significantly over the past several years. Here, Amanda Appleton explains how use of a turbidimetric immunoassay is meeting the challenge.- Feature
Congress promises an exhibition of expertise
In September the twelfth in the biennial Congress series will return to the International Convention Centre in Birmingham, the focus this year being on linking learning to the laboratory. Here, Pathology in Practice provides an early taster of the event and associated exhibition.- Feature
Assay modelling: the next step in measurement uncertainty evaluation
In this second in a series of articles on individual aspects of the assessment of uncertainty of measurement, Stephen MacDonald continues with an assessment of the impact of assay modelling.- Feature
Ovarian cancer: update on serum biomarkers
A review of the NICE guideline on ovarian cancer has identified new evidence related to the diagnostic accuracy of serum tumour marker HE4 and the ROMA score, resulting in a decision to update advice on what serum tumour marker tests should be carried out routinely to aid diagnosis.- Feature
Shedding new light on the humble glass slide
Pathology in Practice looks into a simple but effective solution to stop tissue sections becoming detached and floating away when faced with the processing conditions typical of techniques such immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation.- Feature
Coverslipping for high-quality immunohistochemistry: an automated experience
Quality, convenience and timely support when needed are some of the reasons why staff in histopathology at Bath are reaping the benefits of automated ClearVue coverslipping from Thermo Scientific.- Feature
Closing critical gaps in tackling the ongoing threat of tuberculosis
The World Health Organization is calling for increased efforts and investment to end one of the world’s oldest and deadliest diseases. But have we become complacent about the threat posed by TB in the UK? Are healthcare workers prepared for outbreaks, and what are they doing to protect themselves and their patients? Louise Frampton reports.- Feature
Anti-tumour necrosis factor drug levels and neutralising antibodies: an update
Peter Kelleher looks at a range of inflammatory conditions and considers the role that testing for anti-TNF drugs and neutralising antibodies can play in the care of patients with autoimmunity-related conditions.- Feature
Providing confidence when measuring blood levels of the new direct oral anticoagulants
Laurence Loï considers the latest on DOACs, and the importance of confidence in testing, which is now supported by the Stago Qualiris external quality assessment programme that includes the new DOAC assays.- Feature
Empowering laboratories to harness the potential offered by digitalisation
Pathology and cancer leaders from the UK and across Europe met recently in London at a Philips Digital Pathology Workshop to learn how a Lean-based business tool can be used to build the case for digital pathology.- Feature
More pathology in practice: a look in the current literature
A small sample of research interest in the areas of haemostasis, calprotectin testing and immunohistochemistry to be found in the current literature.- Feature
Clinical and laboratory haemostasis: update from UK NEQAS Blood Coagulation
Consultant haematologist Jonathan Pattinson reports from the UK NEQAS for Blood Coagulation annual scientific meeting, which drew international support from scientists, clinicians and contributors.- Feature
Current pathology in practice: a brief look in the literature
A small sample of research interest on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Lean management and cancer screening to be found in the current literature- Feature
