RECENT FEATURE ARTICLES
Use of beads to meet auditing requirements in histopathology
There is a surprising, yet cost-effective tool on the market that offers a solution to the issue of labelling tissue samples during the embedding process. And it is one that might remind you of days gone by, as Nicola Forsdyke explains.- Feature
Hospital-acquired pneumonia: impact of the Curetis Unyvero system
The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and the burden of disease due to hospital-associated pneumonia prompted Emma Jones and colleagues to investigate a molecular alternative to microbiological culture.- Feature
IBMS Congress highlights: education and training, quality and management
Following the two-part review of the comprehensive IBMS Biomedical Science Congress scientific lecture programme, published in the October and December issues, Pathology in Practice now turns the spotlight on other equally important areas of the laboratory service.- Feature
Cardiac biomarkers: from harmonisation to hormones over the past decade
Cardiac biomarker assays are an important feature of laboratory support of patients attending the accident and emergency department. Their use and harmonisation remain a focus of attention and new insights may change the perceived value of these markers.- Feature
Microbial technology: review and preview of an annual conference
Mark Wilks looks forward to the 35th Annual Scientific Conference of the British Society for Microbial Technology, which is due to take place on Thursday 14 May at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, in north London.- Feature
Statistical quality control: IQC management and troubleshooting errors
In this final article in his series focusing on internal quality control, Stephen MacDonald concludes by providing an overview of the methods used in troubleshooting the causes of QC failures when they are detected.- Feature
Biomedical Science Congress: highlights from laboratory accreditation to virology
Summaries of lectures on the comprehensive IBMS Biomedical Science Congress scientific lecture programme are requested from individual speakers. In this final review, Pathology in Practice selects programme highlights from alphabetically laboratory accreditation to virology.- Feature
EasyScreen flavivirus/alphavirus kit applied to a dengue outbreak
Crystal Garae and colleagues report on validation of the EasyScreen Flavivirus/Alphavirus Detection Kit and its application during the 2016–17 outbreak of dengue virus infection across the islands of Vanuatu.- Feature
Learning from haematology external quality assessment: case of a ‘split’ HbA2 peak
Laboratory external quality assessment is more than simple participation in an EQA scheme, as the following case study illustrates. Here, Nikki Emodi and colleagues also consider the limitations inherent in methodology.- Feature
Implementation of a new storage solution in a busy virology laboratory
Reliable storage and guaranteed traceability of serum samples is paramount in today’s laboratories. With the ever-increasing pressures on time and productivity, this can prove difficult. Here, James Hudson explains the benefits of the NEO Sample Manager over a previous track-based method used in his laboratory.- Feature
Using molecular LAMP to curtail the global threat of carbapenem resistance
Molecular specialist Bradley Horn looks at the application of LAMP technology to combat the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance, particularly in Gram-negative bacteria that increasingly demonstrate multidrug resistance.- Feature
Mutation of the BAP1 gene in malignant mesothelioma: a diagnostic evaluation
Evaluation of the identification of a genetic mutation and its association with malignant pleural mesothelioma suggests diagnostic utility, as Justine Ellis and colleagues from East Lancashire and MMU explain.- Feature
Statistical quality control: further assessment of more-complex QC charting
In this eighth article in the series on internal quality control, Stephen MacDonald continues his review of the various ways that control can be charted. Here, he focuses on more-complex QC charting.- Feature
Snail mucus: antimicrobial properties found in common species of mollusc
The search for novel antibiotic agents, and those that exert their antimicrobial effect in different ways, is currently high on the research agenda. Here, Sarah J Pitt and Alan Gunn review an innovative approach using mucus from common molluscs.- Feature
Increased workflow efficiency: a benefit of HbA1c testing on the latest chemistry automation
Against the background of an increasing prevalence of diabetes and demand for glycated haemoglobin testing, workers in the north-east of England have reaped the benefit from the introduction of Beckman Coulter’s new HbA1c assay.- Feature
Needle core biopsies: ease and efficiency of processing with LUMEA BxChip
Siobhan Fairgreaves introduces an aid to biopsy processing that protects tissue and facilitates production of maximum diagnostic information. Here, she talks to an early adopter of this innovative chip, and hears of the success achieved with trials in Durham.- Feature
CBC-O: how haematology systems aid investigation of a raised MCHC
Modern analyser systems provide cutting-edge support to the haematology laboratory, the latest prime example of which is the benefits provided by equipment and algorithms in the investigation of the cause of a raised mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration.- Feature
Human norovirus: a brief look at research in the current literature
With lower temperatures and shorter periods of daylight at this time of year, norovirus, the so-called ‘winter vomiting bug’, is set to revisit the hospital setting, bringing with it cases of vomiting and diarrhoea. The following items of research interest are all available via PubMed as free PMC articles.- Feature
Novel POCT transforms transfusion decision-making in the cardiac theatre
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and Stago UK have collaborated in a joint interventional study to reduce blood transfusion costs while ensuring patient safety for those undergoing cardiac surgery.- Feature
The pressure is on! Are you ready for the winter influenza season?
With the approach of winter and its effect on respiratory illness, Simon Parker of Roche Diagnostics looks at the role of point-of-care PCR influenza assays in facilitating significant improvements in clinical decision-making.- Feature
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