FEATURE ARTICLES
POCT discovery project: strategic changes for primary care settings
Specialist biomedical scientist Rakhee Surti details a recent project to evaluate community POCT services around Milton Keynes, initiated to document key strategic recommendations for improving and digitally transforming POCT services within the primary care community.
NE Innovation Lab celebrates two years of cutting-edge diagnostics
The North East Innovation Lab is celebrating its second anniversary having expanded its work in accelerating the development of diagnostics across a wide range of applications. Pathology in Practice hears from the laboratory about recent changes and the important role it has played in a number of high-profile projects.
Microbial technology: a preview of the annual BSMT microbiology conference
This year's British Society for Microbial Technology Annual Microbiology Conference will be held on 11 May at the RAF Museum in Hendon, North London. It will cover a range of different topics but this year there is a particular focus on different aspects of antimicrobial resistance. Here, BSMT Chair Dr Mark Wilks, on behalf of the organising committee, introduces some themes of the meeting.
IBMS Congress 2023: now is the time to start planning your visit
In September, the fifteenth iteration in the biennial Congress series will return to the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. The full programme is scheduled for launch in March and once again will focus on the very best that biomedical science and commercial colleagues have to offer. Here, IBMS Deputy Chief Executive Sarah May provides a brief preview of this important event on the laboratory medicine calendar.
Influenza in the era of COVID-19: a look at research published in the recent scientific literature.
Following the limiting effect that the various COVID-19 restrictions had on influenza rates over the past two years, infection due to this virus has return with a vengeance this winter. Here, Pathology in Practice Science Editor Brian Nation compiles a small selection of current virology research activity.
Antimicrobial resistance: local solutions for a global problem
Esmita Charani looks at the global issues presented by antimicrobial resistance and considers the strategies and policies that need to be created and properly implemented to tackle the problem at a local level in communities around the world.
Predicting risk of pre-eclampsia with PIGF-based testing
Pre-eclampsia remains a common complication during pregnancy, but the methods used to initially determine the presence of the disease still rely on simple non-specific parameters. Testing for placental growth factor has huge potential to improve management of a condition that is challenging to diagnose explains Dawn Hannah, clinical educator at Quidel.
West Mids to transform cancer diagnosis through digital pathology with Sectra
NHS patients throughout the West Midlands are to benefit from a digital pathology programme delivered by Sectra, designed to help reduce cancer backlogs, transform services, and improve the speed and accuracy of cancer diagnosis.
Reducing preanalytical errors: introducing a new commercial partnership
Two companies have recently joined forces with the aim of reducing errors in the preanalytical phase following blood collection and before samples arrive in the laboratory.
The transition to digital pathology is happening: How are you going digital?
Sanj Lallie of Source LDPath looks at the benefits of transitioning to a digital pathology workflow and charts a vision of a virtual histopathology department for every NHS trust.
On-demand printing in a world of developing technology
The emerging technology of on-demand printers can offer significant benefits to histology laboratories and pathology procedures, while also facilitating error reduction, explains Lauraline Winter.
How can POCT help to alleviate NHS winter pressures?
New point-of-care testing technology boasts rapidly expanding capabilities, and a new piece of equipment from HORIBA offers under-pressure NHS frontline staff laboratory-accurate tests within minutes, allowing them to make quicker treatment decisions.
Messenger RNA: a basis for vaccine technology and cancer treatment
Recent media coverage has highlighted the relatively new technology involving mRNA that has found application in COVID vaccination, but also in the treatment of cancer. The mRNA technology works by sending instructions to cells to produce an antigen or protein, thus enabling the immune system to target cells for destruction. Here, Science Editor Brian Nation compiles a small selection of activity in this important research.
Back with a buzz – Point-of-care Innovations event returns
The first post-pandemic Point of Care Testing: Innovations conference took place during September in Bristol, with Tony Cambridge’s Thornhill Events bringing together a diverse programme of speakers to discuss the future of decentralised diagnostics.
Pathology and technology – developing together to optimise services
Richard Craven of CliniSys considers some of the big developments in pathology and how technology will help laboratories to confront current challenges while preparing for the future of personalised medicine.
Improving pathology services through a digital partnership
Offering improved cancer diagnosis processes in the face of increased pressures and workloads is a huge challenge for NHS laboratories. Here Daniel Plews of Roche Diagnostics UK and Ireland, explains how pioneering digital pathology in partnership with the NHS is helping to meet that challenge.
Earlier cancer diagnosis with non-invasive serological testing for H. pylori
Endoscopy is considered the ‘gold standard’ method for investigating dyspeptic symptoms caused by Helicobacter pylori. Professor Peter Malfertheiner discusses the advantages offered by non-invasive ‘serological biopsy’ in the gastric cancer care pathway and management of atrophic gastritis.
Referrals from primary care to nephrology: potential impact of NICE guidelines
The early stages of chronic kidney disease are usually asymptomatic, with diagnosis only achieved following blood or urine tests undertaken for another reason. Now, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance is highlighting the value of these simple tests, which have been the focus of a recently published study.
Striving to improve transfusion safety: The 2021 SHOT Report
Nicola Swarbrick, Laboratory Incident Specialist at the Serious Hazards of Transfusion scheme, presents the key findings and recommendations from its 2021 report, which also marks 25 years since it was created to oversee and review haemovigilance reporting.
UK NEQAS Blood Coagulation Annual Scientific Meeting report
Earlier this year the UK NEQAS Blood Coagulation annual meeting made its return to the Sheffield Hallam University city-centre campus. Chris Reilly-Stitt reports on the presentations made at the event.
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UK NEQAS: Navigating Quality Standards in Point of Care Testing
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POCT-for-Scot: Bringing the future to you
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