RECENT NEWS
Alan Wainwright nominated IFBLS President-Elect
The International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science (IFBLS) is a not-for-profit organisation made up of international member associations that represent biomedical laboratory scientists across the world, and has a direct input into the World Health Organization (WHO) development of policy and standards.- News
State-of-the-art pathology IT system announced
A new state-of-the-art laboratory system for the Black Country Pathology Service (BCPS) has been announced. It is hoped the new laboratory information management system (LIMS) will reduce clinical risk and provide more complete patient history across primary and secondary care. The new system will enable pathology services across the multiple hospital sites to work together more collaboratively than previously This will result in an enhanced service for clinicians and offers patients a centre of excellence providing all aspects of a quality pathology service.- News
Statistical quality control: verifying the attainment of accurate results
The December issue of Pathology in Practice will see publication of the second article in Stephen MacDonald’s new series on internal quality control. This will be the first of two parts covering the requirements of a quality control system, with a focus in December on the material used to control the system.- News
Welsh laboratories upgrade haemostasis analyser systems
The haemostasis laboratories at the Royal Glamorgan and Prince Charles hospitals are already benefiting from Stago’s STA R Max 2 analysers. Four systems have been installed (two in each hospital) and are expected to be fully operational this month.- News
Government and Philips consortium co-invest in digital pathology and AI to improve cancer care in the UK
Royal Philips has been leading two healthcare innovation projects that will receive government investment as part of major cross-sector collaborations. A joint multimillion-pound investment by government and industry partners, this initiative will fully digitise a number of NHS pathology laboratories, expanding access to innovative digital pathology services in the UK.- News
Neutrons help to analyse outer surface interactions on Gram-negative bacteria
Researchers have been using neutrons to explore the complex outer surfaces of Escherichia coli, and they have revealed in the process, with great precision and detail, how such bacteria interact with their surroundings. Understanding these interactions is crucial, as E. coli infections can lead to fatal sepsis if untreated.- News
New track-based haematology platform achieves quality accreditation
Horiba UK Medical has announced the first global installation of its new HELO high-throughput fully automated haematology platform in Torbay Hospital, where the laboratory has achieved UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation. Additionally, the ease of use, fast processing and operational efficiency delivered by the company’s new track-based haematology system has enabled routine haematology work to be smoothed and cut by an hour at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT).- News
Innovation in digital pathology at Leeds a step to faster, better cancer diagnosis
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Leeds have announced a critical milestone in going digital, by scanning every glass slide they produce. The milestone represents a major step towards achieving faster and accurate diagnosis for cancer patients in the future. The pathology department, located in St James’ Hospital in Leeds, is one of the largest in the UK, processing over 1000 pathology slides a day, and is now digitally scanning every slide thanks to its partnership with Leica Biosystems.- News
Pocket-sized lactate monitor to be launched at MEDICA 2018
At MEDICA 2018, EKF Diagnostics will be launching its new Lactate Scout 4 handheld lactate analyser for fast and accurate sports performance monitoring. Lactate Scout 4 is designed for use in the field as a training companion for individuals or sports teams, and will be demonstrated to delegates attending the co-located MEDICA MEDICINE + SPORTS conference.- News
Excellent and consistent disc quality highlighted by EUCAST
In 2014 and 2017, the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) evaluated the quality of 16 antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) discs from nine manufacturers against EUCAST targets and ranges for relevant quality control strains. The 16 AST discs were selected to represent different antibiotic classes and to include screening discs for important resistance mechanisms.- News
New Dean of Travel Medicine appointed in Glasgow
Jane Chiodini has taken up the post of Dean of the Faculty of Travel Medicine in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, the first woman and the first nurse to hold this position. Mrs Chiodini (pictured with her predecessor as Dean, Group Captain Andrew D Green) was elected to the post by Fellows and Members of the Faculty, and took office at the Faculty's Annual General Meeting early in October.- News
Track-based haematology platform achieves quality accreditation in Torbay
Horiba UK Medical has announced the first global installation of its new HELO high-throughput, fully automated haematology platform in Torbay Hospital, where the laboratory has achieved UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation. Additionally, the ease of use, fast processing and operational efficiency delivered by the new track-based haematology system has enabled routine haematology work to be smoothed and cut by an hour at the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT).- News
Major London hospital uses automated colony counter
Synbiosis has announced that its ProtoCOL 3 automated colony counter is being used at a major teaching hospital in London to track the spread of carbapenem-resistant bacteria (CRB).- News
Synergy of academic and vocational values
The year 2018 represents an important milestone in the history of biomedical sciences education. It is the 40th anniversary of the first UK graduates emerging from honours degree programmes with a primary focus on biomedical sciences – then known as ‘medical laboratory science’. It is also the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Heads of University Centres of Biomedical Sciences (HUCBMS), the body which represents the biomedical sciences academic and research community.- News
Statistical quality control: overview of applications in the clinical laboratory
Following the recent publication of his successful articles on measurement uncertainty, Stephen MacDonald returns in the October issue of Pathology in Practice with the first in a new series looking at internal quality control in laboratory medicine.- News
Women and Children First in Microbiology
Following on from a very successful Annual Scientific Meeting held in May, the British Society for Microbial Technology (BSMT) will hold its Autumn Symposium at the Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool, next month (Friday 19 October). The Going Overboard with Microbiology – Women and Children First scientific programme will be supported by an exhibition comprising 17 commercial sponsors.- News
Consultation on proposed changes to HCPC registration fees
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has launched a consultation on proposals to increase the registration fees it charges. In the consultation, it proposes to increase the renewal fee from £90 to £106 per year, with a similar level of increases to the other fees the HCPC charges.- News
Computational pathology software for automated tumour detection
Royal Philips has announced the latest release of TissueMark, which now supports region of interest detection for the majority of molecular testing and helps research laboratories improve the accuracy of tumour estimation. The new version, which was showcased at the 30th European Congress of Pathology, leverages deep learning artificial intelligence (AI) to aid in prostate and ovarian tumour tissue identification.- News
Glycated albumin assay and POC haemoglobin analyser on show
EKF Diagnostics highlighted the new Stanbio Chemistry Glycated Albumin (GA) assay kit and its DiaSpect haemoglobin point-of-care (POC) analyser at the recent AACC 2018 Clinical Lab Expo in Chicago.- News
Innovative digital pathology network deployed in Oxford
Royal Philips and Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust have announced plans to create a digital pathology network to help drive faster and more efficient diagnoses for patients. The OUH Trust will deploy the Philips IntelliSite Pathology Solution at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, which will serve as a central laboratory service for partner sites at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Great Western Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Swindon.- News