Sponsors

FEATURE ARTICLES

Outbreaks of respiratory infection: preparing for future uncertainty

Infectious disease testing for three West Midlands hospital trusts has been centralised at the Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology Services laboratories. However, when the pandemic hit, there was a need for rapid SARS-CoV-2 testing at each trust. Here, Lisa Berry and Mandip Hira discuss the decision to decentralise testing, and how this helped to streamline patient management for all infectious disease testing.

Blood cancer awareness: a selection of research interest in the current literature

Every September, Blood Cancer Awareness Month raises awareness and understanding of blood cancers, supported by the charity Blood Cancer UK. The focus in 2022 was on highlighting the symptoms and signs of the various diseases that fall under the umbrella term of blood cancer. To complement this, Pathology in Practice Science Editor Brian Nation compiles a small selection of current research activity.

How Leica Biosystems is supporting the digitisation of NHS pathology services

The National Pathology Imaging Co-operative has been driving towards a fully digital approach as well as paving the way for other laboratories to follow in their footsteps. Pathology in Practice looks at the role played by Leica Biosystems and the technological improvements offered by its equipment.

Point-of-care testing: an overview of the developing supply chain crisis

Supply chain interruption or restriction is becoming a fact of life, both in the clinical laboratory and in the wider healthcare environment. Here, Tony Cambridge considers the various issues affecting the supply of consumables to the near-patient testing arena.

Staining for microorganisms: a selection of current research interest

While genomic methods are gaining importance across pathology, especially in infection sciences and tissue sciences, the application of routine staining methods continues to complement 21st-century technology. The following papers include the use of Christian Gram’s eponymous method or that named after two German doctors, the bacteriologist Franz Ziehl and pathologist Friedrich Neelsen.

Models of point-of-care diagnostics provision: an overview of the future

Currently, there is a move in healthcare that would see a range of diagnostic services relocated from hospitals into the urban environment of town and city centres, to facilitate easier patient access. Here, Tony Cambridge focuses on a selection of models proposed for the delivery of in vitro diagnostic testing outside the traditional laboratory and in the community.

Automated tissue dissection: its role in personalised medicine

Automating tissue dissection would appear to hold the key to personalised medicine becoming a reality. Here, Pathology in Practice has been given an early look at a new Xyall solution for the molecular pathology laboratory.

Flagship HbA1c analyser from ARKRAY improves diabetes testing workflow

Pathology in Practice asked ARKRAY general manager David Eyre to provide insights into overall trends while assessing the current UK situation post-COVID. He offers a solution for speeding up all HbA1c testing, increasing throughput for routine tests while reducing unnecessary testing for variants.

Traumatic brain injury test: clinical performance summary of a pivotal study

Introducing a new, high-sensitivity test to detect blood-based biomarkers of mild traumatic brain injury within 12 hours of head trauma, which gives clinicians the power to predict the absence of intracranial lesions in adult patients with suspected mild traumatic brain injury.

Targeting global threats presented by sepsis and antimicrobial resistance

Sepsis improvement programmes have received criticism in recent years, with some claiming that they have resulted in increased hospital antimicrobial consumption. But should we be targeting sepsis management or should we be looking elsewhere for solutions, including better integration of diagnostics? Louise Frampton reports.

Group B streptococcal disease: Black and Asian newborns at higher risk

Group B Streptococcus is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborns, and in the UK on average two babies a day develop the infection. Now, the charity Group B Strep Support has called for greater awareness of the disease and for hospitals to enroll in the ongoing GBS3 trial.

Innovative approach to specialist haematology and coagulation services

North West London Pathology has developed a hub-and-spoke network with clinical need at its forefront across seven hospital sites, supported by Stago UK’s resources and its reputation for adaptability.

Revolution in genomics and microbiology: the impact of technology

The Genomic & Microbiology Revolution: In Technology we Trust? was the title of the 37th Annual Microbiology Conference of the British Society for Microbial Technology, held at the RAF Museum at Hendon on 19 July. A fascinating programme looked at a range of different aspects of technology applied to microbiology, here summarised by Mark Wilks on behalf of the BSMT committee.

Viscoelastic POC testing helps to stem post-partum haemorrhage

Point-of-care testing has found application across the breadth of healthcare, a recent prime example being the role of viscoelastic POC testing in post-partum bleeding management in obstetrics.

Poliovirus: a selection of open-access research in the current literature

Polio has returned to the media spotlight recently after the discovery of the virus in London sewage. The following is a selection of free-to-access research interest in this year’s scientific literature on the subject of this small, single-stranded RNA virus.

It’s in our DNA: unlocking the genetic code to create a biological revolution

Whole-genome sequencing is a comprehensive method for analysing entire genomes and has been instrumental in identifying, for example, inherited disorders and the mutations that drive cancer development. Here, PerkinElmer genomics specialist Anona Bamford provides an insight into the enigma that is the study of deoxyribonucleic acid.

Xylene-free tissue processing: good results, less solvent exposure

The use of xylene-free processing in histopathology has gained ground in recent years, supported by the latest developments in tissue processor technology. Here, Epredia customers in Germany provide examples of the advantages to processes and personnel gained through a simple change in methodology.

Infection risks and the environment: latest evidence for best practice

The healthcare environment continues to present a risk of infection transmission, so what can we do to protect patients in a post-pandemic era? The Central Sterilising Club’s 60th anniversary annual scientific meeting showcased the latest evidence for best practice, highlighting some of the potential threats that need to be addressed.

Placental growth factor: supporting management of pre-eclampsia

Although the exact cause of pre-eclampsia is not known, it is thought to occur when a problem develops with the placenta. Routine blood pressure and proteinuria checks are performed during the antenatal period to detect this condition, and can now be complemented by the addition of near-patient placental growth factor testing.

Molecular detection of Mycobacterium ulcerans strains in Nigeria

Mycobacterium ulcerans infection results in a debilitating disease that is characterised by extensive and severe destruction of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Adewale Oke and colleagues report on a study that aimed to identify cases of so-called Buruli ulcer in five states of south-west Nigeria.

Latest Issues

The British Association for Cytopathology Annual Scientific Meeting

Aztec Hotel and Spa, Bristol, BS32 4TS
18 October, 2024

UK NEQAS: Navigating Quality Standards in Point of Care Testing

The Hyatt Regency Hotel, Birmingham, UK
23 October, 2024

Pathology Visions 24

Hyatt Regency, Orlando, FL
3-5 November, 2025

Medica

Messe Dusseldorf
11-14 November, 2024

POCT-for-Scot: Bringing the future to you

SEC Arena, Glasgow
14 November, 2024