The Operating Theatre Journal Operating Theatre Journal ... irrigation bag weight. ... the problem with the General

ISSN 1747-728X October/November 2006 Issue No. 193

The

Operating Theatre Journal

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fi nd out more 0207 100 2867 • e-mail [email protected] Issue 193 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2006 3l

The Operating Theatre Journal

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Vienna, Austria – Royal Philips Electronics (AEX: PHI, NYSE: PHG) announced 14th September that its SpeechMagic speech recognition technology will be implemented with the Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system of Norway’s Health Region South (HES). The deal secures a 25 percent share of Norway’s EPR market, catapulting SpeechMagic to the forefront of healthcare speech recognition systems in Norway.

HES is Norway’s largest health cluster, comparable to the NHS clusters in the UK. The fi rst stage of the project, comprised of two hospitals with twenty-fi ve users each, starts in 2006 and also includes the groundwork for further rollout in 2007. In the second phase more than 1,000 physicians will be equipped with SpeechMagic.

Bjoern Arne Aune, regional sales director for Philips Speech Recognition Systems explains: “This market is highly attractive, as speech recognition facilitates the implementation of the EPR. It ensures that medical information is available electronically and ready to populate the patient fi le in the records database. The fast accessibility of medical reports by all parties involved in delivering care through the EPR ensures accurate and speedy treatment.”

SpeechMagic has been chosen in an EU tender and will be integrated into HES’s TietoEnator’s EPR by Norwegian IT company Max Manus. Jens Aasmundtveit, the company’s managing director said: “SpeechMagic provides industrial-grade features allowing us to seamlessly integrate it with enterprise-wide healthcare IT systems, such as the EPR. Seventy percent of Norway’s radiologists are already using the speech recognition solution from Max Manus powered by SpeechMagic. With the HES deal, we have taken speech recognition to a completely new level, as it is now state-of-the-art equipment for modern physicians and hospitals.”

Philips has recently announced major region-wide deals in Europe, including Spain’s regional healthcare service Castilla-La-Mancha and the AP-HP hospital network in Paris. The combined volume of these deals exceeds 15,000 physicians and transcriptionists, further strengthening SpeechMagic’s market-leading position in European Healthcare Speech Recognition (Frost & Sullivan Market Analysis, 2005).

About Royal Philips ElectronicsRoyal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world’s biggest electronics companies and Europe’s largest, with sales of $37.7 billion (EUR 30.4 billion) in 2005. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 158,000 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter and www.philips.com/speechrecognition.

Philips SpeechMagic captures 25 percent of Norwegian Electronic Patient Record market

Philips speech recognition technology SpeechMagic will be implemented with the Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system of Norway’s Health Region South (HES). The deal secures a 25 percent share of Norway’s EPR market.

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website http://www.otjonline.comExeter 5-year commitment to

Gambro AK machinesGambro Hospal Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gambro AB, has been awarded a 5-year contract to supply 30 AK 200 S dialysis machines at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

This prestigious and lucrative award for both parties will see around 10 new AK 200 S machines purchased in the next year, followed by the balance spread over the subsequent four years in equal amounts, to give an affordable phase-in programme. The AK 200 S machines replace older, existing Gambro equipment.

The contract award emanates from a machine tender sent out to a number of manufacturers in December 2004. It was to cover the requirements of both Exeter and Dorchester, although the latter have yet to announce their future supplier. They too have a series of older Gambro machines in use today.

Local Sales Representative, Geraldine Roeder, understands that Exeter have re-awarded Gambro with the contract due to past satisfaction of the renal unit staff with machine reliability and results. Training in the unit, plus educational booklets supply, has been ongoing and extensive, and is set to continue in order to evoke the best from the new dialysis machines.

The Gambro AK 200 S series is designed to ease the nurse’s everyday working situation. Each component of the machine is designed for convenient operation, stress-free information access and easy height adjustment, which results in more time for each patient. The machines offer value for money, comfortable and secure dialysis, with a range of automated functions.

At present, the SW Region consumables is out to tender, although Gambro currently supply concentrates and BiCart to both hospitals, and needles also to Dorchester.

For more information on Gambro’s AK dialysis machine range, its dialysers and other HD consumables, please telephone the company on:01480 444000.

Gambro Hospal: A better way to better care. When responding please quote ‘OTJ’

4 THE OPERATING THEATRE JOURNAL www.otjonline.com

Brandon Medical Exhibit New Products at Healthcare Estates 2006

Brandon Medical will be exhibiting their new range of Atlas Ceiling Supply Pendants at the Healthcare Estates exhibition in Harrogate this year on stand C19. These pendants feature a completely new service head which can dramatically reduce space consumption around the surgical site and can be confi gured to meet any speciality due to their unique modular construction.

Brandon will also be exhibiting a selection of their extensive medical lighting ranges including Galaxy Ultra Operating Theatre Lights, Astralite Minor Surgical Lights, Coolview Examination Lights and Optica Medical Magnifi ers.

If you would like more information on any Brandon Medical products please visit: www.brandon-medical.com.

A MINUTE FOR YOUR THOUGHTSBAN BULLYING AT WORK DAY LAUNCHES 1 MINUTE REFLECTION

Ban Bullying At Work, the UK charity dedicated to changing workplace bullying has launched a new initiative to raise awareness with Britain’s 28.94 million workforce.

Now in its third year, Ban Bullying At Work Day, expects over 1 million people to take part in the minute of refl ection to be held at 10 am on 7th

November 2006.

Lyn Witheridge, Founder, Ban Bullying At Work said; “Our main aim is to encourage people to take responsibility for the management of themselves, in their roles and in relation to others. 1 in 4 adults has been bullied within the last 5 years. Bullying is the leading cause of stress related illness and the number one employee complaint. We want both employers and employees to take part, refl ect and recognise how their own behaviours could have a negative impact on their colleagues and working environment.”

A pack is available from www.banbullyingatwork.com giving details on how best to participate. A free Participation Questionnaire has been produced for employees and employers to participate in during the minute of refl ection. The Questionnaire can either be downloaded or fi lled in online and has been developed to challenge preconceptions, gather data and encourage appraisal of current working environment.

Workplace bullying can be defi ned as the expression of aggression without physical violence – a form of psychological intimidation that makes its impact through persistent behaviours. There are many misconceptions about workplace bullying, a common one being that those individuals usually targeted are weak, ineffectual poor workers. The opposite is true and it is often the strong, confi dent and competent people who are often targeted.

To download a free information pack on how to take part including the Participation Survey please visit www.banbullyingatwork.com . The site also has numerous resources for both employers and employees on all workplace bullying related issues.

Separate research conducted by Ban Bullying At Work showed that unfair criticism and intimidating behaviour are the most commonly cited examples. Just over half of victims of the 3, 000 victims of bullying interviewed said that they had been bullied for over a year. Almost 23% had been bullied for 6 to 12 months. More than one in ten people said that line managers were the most likely to be bullies.

Workplace bullying affects people in different ways. The most commonly cited effects are fears about going to work, and a lowering of self-esteem and self-confi dence. It also has a serious impact on performance. 60% of respondents say that it has affected the quality of their work, and 51% say that it has caused them to take time off.

General MedicalOperating Theatre

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Theatre Staff often complain that they are cold standing around in cooled theatres all day long – solve the problem with the General Medical Warming Jacket.

Made from blue SMS fl uid repellent, non-woven textile with elasticated cuffs and press stud fastenings, they are resistant to abrasion and do not release any dust or fi bres. Comfortable to wear, they provide superior resistance to liquid penetration and strength – two of the most critical factors for protection. The lightweight, breathable nature of the material helps ensure that the wearer remains comfortable and warm, with unrestricted movement and protection. They are available in large, medium and small sizes.

General Medical also offer a wide range of sterile procedure packs to cover the full surgical spectrum. Each of these packs can be customised to meet the individual requirements of Trusts, Hospitals, Departments and Clinics. All components are available as separate items including gowns, drapes, masks, hats in various styles, and much more – all at extremely competitive prices.

For further information or samples of any of the products available from General Medical please telephone: 01380 734990 or email:[email protected]

WINNER OF £20,000 KEELER SCHOLARSHIP NAMED

The 2006 winner of the £20,000 Keeler Scholarship has been named as Dr Srilakshmi Sharma, a Specialist Registrar in Medical Ophthalmology at Bristol Eye Hospital. She is the tenth winner of the Scholarship since its inception in 1990.

Dr Sharma won the prize for her proposal to undertake a two-year research programme at the Casey Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon. The research will focus on the pathogenesis of posterior uveitis, specifi cally exploiting Toxoplasmosis gondiias a biological probe.

“I’m very pleased to have won this Scholarship,” said Dr Sharma. “The experience will afford me the opportunity to complement research with exposure to management of patients with ocular infl ammatory disease in an internationally acclaimed medical ophthalmology clinic. My aim is to utilise this period of research to make a contribution to the existing body of literature and also to further my knowledge and training in uveitis. On returning to the UK I will complete my Specialist Registrar training with a subspeciality interest in uveitis.”

The Keeler Scholarship is awarded every two years and is designed to advance the science and practice of ophthalmology by enabling the winner to study, research or acquire special skills, knowledge or experience for a minimum period of six months. Applicants are assessed by fi ve Trustees, four of whom are ophthalmologists. The award is administered through the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.

Company contact and reader enquiries:Keeler Ltd, Clewer Hill Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 4AA United KingdomTel: +44 (0) 1753 857177; Fax: +4 (0) 1753 857817E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.keeler.co.uk

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PRO-Breathe Range of Airway Management ProductsPROACT are pleased to showcase the latest edition to

our PRO-Breathe® range of Airway Management products. Our newly designed silicone disposable

laryngeal airway is now an easily recognisable “PRO-Breathe” blue. It is constructed using super

soft silicone which gives an optimum seal, offers maximum patient comfort as well as reliability and durability.

The size of the Laryngeal Airway is marked both on the tubing and on the air pressure valve which ensures you chose the correct size, and marking are shown along the tubing to allow for a correct and easy insertion. The PRO-Breathe “SD” Laryngeal Airway is available in 6 sizes.

Also included in our PRO-Breathe® are two further models of Laryngeal Airways – both an economical plastic disposable and superb quality silicone reusable. Also available are both disposable and pre-formed ET Tubes, Guedel Airways, Tracheostomy Tubes and Nasopharyngeal Airways, along with our range of Bougies and Stylets. All are featured in our 2006/07 catalogue. For your copy please call 0870 909 7400. Or check out the website, www.proactmedical.co.uk When responding please quote ‘OTJ’

GOVERNMENT MOVES TO CURB NUMBER OF INEFFECTIVE

TREATMENTS IN THE NHSNICE proposals to release millions in NHS resources and reduce health inequalities

Health Minister Andy Burnham recently announced that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) will begin a signifi cant new programme of work to help the NHS identify and stop ineffective interventions and make health services more equitable across the country.

Reducing ineffective practice will potentially allow the NHS to reinvest millions of pounds on drugs and approaches that do improve patient care.

Andy Burnham said “This is not about cutting services that benefi t patients. New drugs and treatments are continually emerging and trusts have to make diffi cult decisions about how to invest funding. I believe this important new work will show how the NHS can free up millions of pounds from obsolete or ineffective treatments.”

“NICE has an excellent track record in identifying and recommending the most effective new treatments for widespread use in the NHS. But we need to ensure that we balance this with better advice on unnecessary and ineffective interventions that can be stopped.”

In his annual report earlier this year, Chief Medical Offi cer Liam Donaldson highlighted unnecessary tonsillectomies and hysterectomies as procedures being regularly performed at an annual cost of £21million to the NHS, despite other treatment options being available. He called for disinvestment from established interventions that are of no proven value.

Commenting on today’s announcement Liam Donaldson said “As technology advances to expand the range of possible health interventions, it is important that effective therapies to address signifi cant health problems are adopted and that ineffective treatments are abandoned.

“NICE’s new work programme will support this vital process by providing an objective assessment of the evidence.”

As well as developing a new stream of guidance on treatments, which may be inappropriate or unnecessary for patients, NICE’s programme of work will include:

* actively promoting existing NICE recommendations, on topics such as home haemodialysis.* specifi c advice for NHS commissioners Identifying and highlighting recommendations within existing guidance that reduce ineffective practice

Further information on this work, including details of the fi rst topics that the programme will look at, are being published today by NICE.

NICE will select the topics included in the new programme, based on clear criteria. Details are available at www.nice.org.uk

The CMO report was release in July 2006 and can be found at http://www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Publications/AnnualReports/fs/en


Zero-gravity surgery a success,

doctors sayDoctors in France conducted what they called a medical fi rst on Wednesday 27th September, successfully operating on a man in near zero gravity. They hope what they learn from the experiment will be useful in space travel and developing remote medicine on Earth.Philippe Sanchot had a benign tumour in his forearm removed in a specially designed operating theatre in a plane that made a series of steep dives — manoeuvres that created conditions close to weightlessness for short periods.

“All the data we collected allow us to think that operating on a human in the conditions of space would not present insurmountable problems,” said Dominique Martin, head of Bordeaux University Hospital’s plastic surgery unit. Normally, Sanchot’s surgery would be relatively simple, performed under local anesthetic. In low gravity conditions a patient’s body reacts differently, and blood doesn’t pump the same way, Martin said.Conditions aboard the plane created challenges for the surgeons, said Pierre Vaida, head of space medicine at Bordeaux University. They had to adapt their gestures and incisions to the weightlessness.The people were strapped down, and powerful magnets held down the specially designed scalpels and other tools.The doctors and patient, an avid bungee-jumper accustomed to rapid gravitational changes, all trained in zero-gravity machines similar to those used by astronauts.The experiment was meant to test if surgery could someday be performed in space. The team is also looking at developing a portable surgical unit that could be used in extreme conditions such as the Far North, in submarines or during natural disasters like an earthquake.The medical team fi rst tested zero gravity surgery on a rat three years ago.

Source: CBC News

DHL Wins Contract Worth GBP 1.6 Billion Revenue Over 10 Years With the

UK Government’s Department of Health- DHL Operates Support Organization for Healthcare - NHS Supply Chain - GBP 1 Billion/Euro 1.4 Billion Savings Targeted to the NHS Over 10 Years - Around 1,000 New Jobs to be Created

DHL Logistics has won a 10-year deal totalling GBP 1.6 billion /Euro 2.3 billion in revenue to manage GBP 22 billion/Euro 32 billion total spend with the UK Government’s Department of Health. DHL will target over GBP 1 billion/Euro 1.4 billion savings over the contract period back to the English National Health Service (NHS). Under the agreement, DHL will run a division called NHS Supply Chain, on behalf of NHS Business Services Authority, and be responsible for delivering all procurement and logistics services across an initial 500,000 products to support 600 hospitals and other health providers in England. The business will ensure that public health (NHS) authorities can dedicate more resources to patient care and continue to manage their cost base. It will help protect existing jobs and lead to the creation of over 1,000 additional positions.

John Allan, Chief Executive of DHL’s Logistics division and Management Board Member of Deutsche Post World Net, says, “This contract is both good for staff and good for the NHS. We are committed to targeting savings on behalf of the Department of Health that can be directed back to patient care by building upon the success of both NHS Logistics and some of the scope of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency. The contract will ensure that NHS Trusts get access to a wide range of high quality, innovative products that will be selected by having extensive dialogue and testing procedures with clinicians. We are thrilled to play such a major part in this change to manage and deliver a world-class supply chain for the NHS.”

John Pattullo, Chief Operating Offi cer for DHL Exel Supply Chain, Europe, Middle East and Africa, adds, “By applying commercial experience and procedures to core logistics and procurement functions, and working very closely with the supplier community, we now have a unique opportunity to deliver innovative, high quality products to support public health in England. This is exactly the kind of strategic sourcing deal where we think we can generate major value for our customers, in this case - the NHS.”

The range of products NHS Supply Chain will manage encompasses a wide range of goods including key supplier and maintenance contracts, food, bed linen, offi ce equipment, stationery, cleaning products, patient clothing, medical and surgical equipment (such as operating theatre equipment and machinery) dressings and provisions. NHS Supply Chain will have its own management team and be governed by a Board dedicated to managing the performance of the operations. In addition, it will be overseen by the NHS Business Services Authority, a government body responsible for managing core public sector support services.

In 2008, DHL will open a new 250,000 sq ft UK-based DHL distribution centre (DC) to act as a stockholding hub for food and other products. It is expected that around 1,000 extra employees will be recruited to manage this distribution centre, and an additional DC in 2012.

With extensive experience in the healthcare sector, including over fi ve years experience with the former NHS Logistics, DHL will build upon existing knowledge, relationships and capabilities to pass savings back to the Department of Health. In addition, DHL will have freedom to invest and develop the business along commercial best practice, work even more closely alongside industry professionals and suppliers, and introduce more employees to the benefi ts of working alongside DHL. Source: PR Newswire

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Hospital Patients Breathe Easy with Launch of PIPPA Breathing

Monitor from CL ect Medical Current medical practice for measuring breaths per minute (BPM) is either subject to the inaccuracies of visual observation or the complexities of technical instruments which are too expensive for most medical facilities to use. However, the launch of the PIPPA breathing monitor from C-Lect Medical , a Manchester based company, offers an easy-to-use, accurate and affordable alternative.

Many hospitals are now introducing early warning scores (EWS) on admitting patients and the measurement of respiratory rate is an integral component of EWS. Using a pyroelectric polymer sensor based on a thin fi lm of polyvinyledene fl uoride, the monitor from C-Lect works by detecting the difference in temperature between the inspired and expired breaths of patients. As the data is received via an electronic unit, software times the interval between the breaths and calculates the BPM, dispaying the data on a screen.

Not only is there no stand-alone instrument of this kind available at such an affordable price but the PIPPA sensor is more sensitive and has a faster response than traditional thermocouples. The unit is also equipped with audio alarms which are triggered when the BPM goes outside preset lower and upper limits, indicating the need for medical intervention.

David Brown, managing director of C-Lect Medical, says: “Healthcare professionals have long recognised the need for a continuous, non-invasive, affordable technique for measuring one of the most important of the vital signs, the breathing rate. PIPPA aims to meet that need.” He adds: “We are confi dent that PIPPA has the potential to become industry standard.”

Clinical trials of the device with 200 patients at the Rochdale NHS hospital, comparing PIPPA with ECG and visual observation, have proved the accuracy of the sensor. PIPPA has patents in Europe and the USA.

The PIPPA breathing monitor also has applications in ambulances, emergency rooms and veterinary medicine.

European Resuscitation Council guidelines published in December 2005 suggest that an accurate method for monitoring respiratory rate abnormalities may help to predict those likely to suffer cardio-respiratory arrest.

For further information, please contact: Dick Badami, director, C-Lect Medical Tel: 01706 366675 / 07973 156 820Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.c-lectmedical.com

Ansell UK Ltd Regus Building Blythe Valley Business Park Solihull West Midlands B90 8AG United KingdomPhone: +44 (0) 1564 711 034 Fax: +44 (0) 1564 711 344http://www.ansell.eu E-mail [email protected]

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NEW MOLNLYCKE HEALTH CARE EXHIBITING AT IDSC CONFERENCE

The annual conference and exhibition of the Institute of Decontamination Sciences (IDSc) is taking place at the St Andrew’s Bay Hotel in Scotland, from 27th to 29th November, and the new Molnlycke Health Care, which now incorporates Regent Medical, is delighted to be exhibiting at this conference.

On the stand, decontamination and sterile services practitioners will have the opportunity to view the extended offering of the new Mb’lnlycke Health Care which, in addition to the BARRIER® and ProcedurePak™ product ranges, now includes the Biogel® range of surgical gloves and the Hibi range of antiseptics.

The BARRIER® tray wraps in particular offer an ideal solution for delegates as they offer advantages such as:

• A high fl uid repellency gives an effective bacterial barrier and ensures wrapped tray contents remain sterile right up to the point of use

• The breathable material retains a controlled degree of porosity, providing the required penetration and exit of steam and gas sterilants

• Compliance with EN868 part one and two - All products are repellent to low surface tension liquids such as alcohol preparations, commonly used in theatre

• The strong material ensures integrity of the tray up to the point of use and can securely wrap the heaviest of trays

• Soft and highly drapeable, the wraps conform well to tray contents and enable theatre staff to open the tray with a low risk of contamination

• The memory free element enables theatre staff to open the tray, with a low risk of contamination

• The non-slip material aids easy wrapping and indicator tape sticks well

Speakers at the IDSc conference include Tina Bradley from the Birmingham infection control laboratory and Professor Mike Bramble, Medical Director at the Directorate of Healthcare Governance, from the James Cooke University Hospital in Middlesborough.


The recent completion of the Royal Broadgreen Hospital in Liverpool saw mechanical and electrical experts EMCOR Engineering Services achieving a UK fi rst with the design and installation of a multi-tabled ‘Barn’ Operating Theatre with optional partitioning walls.

Commonly found on the continent, Barn theatres are open plan and include several operating tables to encourage the sharing of best practice and expertise. Broadgreen’s theatre is the third one of its kind in the UK, but its unique Ultra Clean Ventilation Canopies has set a new benchmark for theatre infection control.

The development of the 30,000 m2 hospital which started in October 2003 is a joint partnership between the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital Trust and the Cardiothoracic Centre – Liverpool NHS Trust.

EMCOR was awarded the £22 million contract via NHS Procure 21 – the NHS’ new procurement method for healthcare buildings. The company’s extensive experience in the healthcare sector was critical in securing a place on the schemes ‘Principal Supply Chain Partnership’ led by main contractor Norwest Holst Construction.

Along with the design and installation of the ‘Barn’ operating theatre, EMCOR was responsible for all mechanical, electrical and public health services required from this modern acute care hospital facility. Avoiding cross contamination and infection were key objectives throughout, and required EMCOR to design and develop bespoke innovative solutions which adopted the latest industry techniques.

These include:

o designing and installing an elbow operated basin tap which was coated in an anti-microbial fi nish – the unique design reducing the risk of water-born infections such as legionella

o developing and using for the fi rst time fl exi shield cabling for all lighting and small power. As this type of light weight cabling has its own containment, installation time was reduced by 40% compared to traditional cabling systems

o installing pre-wired distribution boards throughout the project which signifi cantly speeded up the electrical installation process

Terry Hewitt, EMCOR Director of Health & Custodial said: “Projects like Broadgreen enable us to maintain our position as one of the major providers of building services specialists in the healthcare market. Schemes undertaken in this sector require cost, planning, innovation and best practice in design and construction – all areas in which we excel. Our substantial portfolio of knowledge means we are providing best value solutions to the client.”

For further information on EMCOR’s Engineering Services, please visit www.emcoruk.com or telephone 0161 874 4901.

State of the art hospital brought to life with

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Services


DoH gives DHL and US

purchasing giant Novation a

mission to create a monopoly

in NHS procurementThe Department of Health recently announced its decision to go ahead with the outsourcing of the NHS Logistics Authority to DHL. Although not named in the DoH announcement it has been established that US purchasing giant Novation will perform the vital role of procurement of NHS supplies under this agreement. This deal will give DHL and Novation control of almost one third of a total NHS medical supplies and equipment market worth around £3.7bn a year. However, the DoH makes clear that DHL/Novation will be expected to increase that market share by as much as possible over the course of the 10 year contract.

The DoH have charged DHL with making savings of £1bn over 10 years, while DHL claims that it stands to make a further £1.6bn profi t from the deal. This adds up to around a 12% cut in NHS procurement spend over the next 10 years, and there are fears that this will impact on the quality of service to patients.

ABHI Director General John Wilkinson has expressed grave concerns over this deal, “This is a bad day for patients and the NHS. A very effi cient and collaborative supply chain partner stands to be replaced by a purchasing organisation which will be focused on price and will restrict choice for patients and clinicians. The UK is already established as a “slow, late adopter” of modern treatments and it is diffi cult to see how this transaction is going to improve matters. In most markets the competition authorities get uneasy when one player gets around 25% market share. Here we have a company which says that it has control of around 33% of the supply market to the NHS and is aspiring to achieve 80 to 90%. This will put DHL/Novation in a position of considerable power over hospitals and suppliers and could create a dangerously anti-competitive environment. This whole deal has been conducted in virtual secrecy with minimal consultation or parliamentary scrutiny, and with no evidence produced on how this new regime will benefi t patients or the taxpayer”.

There are also serious concerns over the role of the US giant Novation in this deal. In the US Group Purchasing Organisations (GPO) such as Novation have come in for strong criticism for alleged anti-competitive practices and fi nancial secrecy, and are the subject of an ongoing US Senate investigation. A recent report into GPOs by the International Centre for Corporate Accountability states,

“The GPO industry is a classic example of a highly concentrated oligopolistic structure, where a handful of companies control over 80% of the hospital supplies purchased through GPOs. This oligopolistic market structure has allowed these privately owned and controlled entities to extract excessive rates of return for their own benefi t and to the detriment of their member hospitals.”

Department of Health announcement: http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=224615&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False

The Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI) is the lead trade association for the medical devices and systems industry (manufacturers of medical devices, equipment and consumables and other suppliers to the medical community. For further details: 0207 787 3060 or visit www.abhi.org.uk

8


Easy Patient Data Referral from Bedside Monitor to Remote PC with

Fukuda’s New CV 5700Fukuda Denshi is a leading supplier of advanced patient monitoring and user-confi gurable clinical information management systems, including the Dynascope 5700 series of PC-based, customisable, high specifi cation central workstations. Now, the company has introduced the CV 5700 Central Viewer, a software accessory which enables the referral of patient data saved on the DS-5700, to a remote PC connected by the wireless LAN TCP/IP network.

The CV 5700 Central Viewer is a Windows 2000 based software programme, which operates by Windows GUI (graphical user interface). It is designed to offer the user more convenience and fl exibility when interpreting and analysing data away from the patients bedside.

The CV 5700 package comes with an installation CD and protective case, together with a comprehensive operation manual and license agreement for the physician. The manual covers such subjects as what can be done on both the server and client programmes, together with a troubleshooting guide.

The server PC for the Central Viewer is capable of storing the patient data on up to 48 beds, all monitored on the network-connected DS 5700. On this monitor, 96 hours of patient data can be stored, but on the CV 5700, the storage duration can be selected, dependent on the hard disc drive capability. The data can be saved in bitmap or text format and displays of waveforms and trends can be changed as desired.

For more information on Fukuda Denshi’s new, remote enabling CV 5700 Central Viewer, please telephone the company on 01483 728065.

Fukuda Denshi: Healthcare bound by technology. Please quote ‘OTJ’

Hibisol™– For Clean hands Without the Need for Water

Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI’s) are a common problem in today’s busy hospital environment and with infections such as Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) constantly hitting headlines, infection control is now a top priority for all NHS trusts.

With the urgent need for antiseptic solutions that can help health care professionals deliver a high standard of care, Mölnlycke Health Care is re-launching Hibisol – an antimicrobial hand rub that can be used to disinfect hands and skin, without the need for water.

Originally launched in 1980, Hibisol can be used for hand disinfection both surgical and on the ward generally for aseptic procedures, as well as for the disinfection of the patient’s skin prior to surgery. With chlorhexidine gluconate as the active ingredient, Hibisol is effective for up to six hours [1] and is ideal when clean water is not available.

As part of Mölnlycke Health Care’s Hibi product range in the important infection control arena, Hibisol facilitates effortless effi ciency amongst healthcare professionals by providing an easy to use antiseptic solution.

The Hibi range also includes:* Hibiscrub™ – Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser, for preoperative surgical hand disinfection * Hibitane™ – Antimicrobial disinfectant, for general antiseptic purposes.* Hibicet™ – Antimicrobial disinfectant, with cleansing properties for general antiseptic purposes.

For more information on Mölnlycke Health Care and its perioperative products visit www.molnlycke.com

Hibi and Hibisol are trademarks registered in the UK, US and/or other countries globally and are owned by Mölnlycke Health Care Limited, The Arenson Centre, Arenson Way, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU5 5UL. Telephone: +44 0870 6060766. Fax: +44 0870 6081888

Reference: [1] Aly R. Maibach HI: Comparative study on the antimicrobial effect of 0.5% Chlorhexidine Gluconate and 70% isopropyl on the normal fl ora of hands. Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

REGISTER NOW FOR FREE ONE DAY

NURSE CONFERENCEA one day conference for International Recruited Nurses working in the UK will be taking place at the Royal Marsden Conference Centre in central London on Friday 17th November 2006, sponsored by Molnlycke Health Care & Johnson and Johnson (ASP Division).

This free conference - organised by Miranda Eyles, Michael Singh, Elif Bayrak and Mary Sylva - boasts well renowned speakers, who will be presenting on a variety of topics, including human resource related issues; bullying and harassment at work, as well as issues on professional development.

The day will begin at 8.30am for registration and will fi nish at 5pm. During the lunch break, delegates will have the opportunity to view the exhibition, where Molnlycke Health Care will have a stand.

As one of the major sponsors Molnlycke Health Care recognises how important it is that health care professionals are empowered with resources to assist them in delivering and improving the health and quality of life of their patients, and is therefore committed to providing educational support wherever possible.

For an application form for the conference, please contact Jackie Keane at hsdcommunications by emailing: [email protected]. Quote ‘OTJ’



Mount Vernon Cancer Centre selects a Ziehm Vista Ortho

Sharp, clear and fl icker-free images produced for fl uoroscopic imaging applications in the Radiotherapy Department

The Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Northwood, Middlesex has selected a Ziehm Vista Ortho Mobile C-Arm Image Intensifi er from UK imaging experts Xograph Imaging Systems. The mobile C-Arm will be used primarily in the radiotherapy department for checking the placement of brachytherapy implants. Additional Mu-metal shielding on the image intensifi er helps to prevent the magnetic interference that can occur in the vicinity of linear accelerators.

The Ziehm Vista Ortho also includes a wealth of other benefi cial features that make it a class-leading mobile C-Arm. It offers a triple fi eld 23cm image intensifi er, easy to use controls and twin fl at panel medical greyscale displays on the monitor cart for exceptional image quality. It also has one of the smallest footprints and reduced weight characteristics on the market, which fi ts comfortably in the confi ned space of operating theatres and helps to reduce stress-related strains on users.

The Ziehm Vista Ortho also offers features that can signifi cantly reduce the radiation dose delivered to the patient, the physician and staff. These include virtual collimation, pulsed fl uoroscopy with last image hold and laser cross-hair positioning & centering.

All Ziehm C-arms feature the unique and fully integrated Ziehm NetPort using DICOM 3.0 communication protocols.

The Mount Vernon Cancer Centre is part of East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust. It is situated approximately 15 miles from Central London serving a population of 1.8 million people living in Middlesex, Hertfordshire, South Bedfordshire, East Berkshire, South Buckinghamshire and the outskirts of North London. The Centre treats over 4,500 new patients per annum with radiotherapy and more than 1,500 patients with chemotherapy. Cancer patients are seen initially in their local hospital by a visiting oncologist and then go to Mount Vernon Cancer Centre for specialised treatment.www.xograph.com

MEDICA 2006 RIGEL MEDICAL Hall 11 Stand G48NEW RIGEL 288 MEETS TEST NEEDS OF IEC 62353

When responding to articles please quote ‘OTJ’

Rigel Medical will be launching a new safety tester at this year’s Medica 2006 show in readiness for the introduction of the new IEC 62353 in service test standard for electromedical equipment.

The new Rigel 288 represents the next generation of biomedical electrical safety analysers and has been developed in line with IEC 62353 requirements as well as IEC 60601.

The ergonomically designed hand held safety tester combines innovative lightweight design and advance test technology with a range of special features including battery power, blue tooth connection for data transfer and a menu driven easy to operate user interface.

At Medica the new Rigel 288 will be on display alongside other test equipment from the Rigel range.

These include the established Rigel 277 Plus and Rigel 266 Plus electrical safety testers and the Rigel 300 series, which includes a range of testers to verify the functionality of NIBP testers, pulse oximetry analysers, ventilators and defi brillators.

Rigel Medical is part of the Seaward Group of companies.Rigel Medical, Bracken Hill, South West Industrial Estate, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 2SW Tel. +44 (0) 191 587 8744 Fax. +44 (0) 191 586 0227 e mail: [email protected] www.rigelmedical.com

The Rigel 288 provides automatic, semi-automatic or fully manual electrical safety testing of all electromedical equipment. Importantly, preset or customised test programs can also be selected to enable users to comply with individual, local or international standards outside the scope of IEC 62353 and IEC 60601 to provide fast and effi cient testing of medical equipment with up to 10 individual patient connections or applied parts.

The instrument’s internal memory can be used to store details of test results for transfer to a PC database, alongside user defi ned inspections and checks on such equipment as SpO

2, NIBP, ECG and other

electromedical equipment. When responding to articles please quote ‘OTJ’

The new package is designed togive all Trusts in the Connecting for Health programme the benefi ts of OrthoView’s latest software (OrthoView 4).

OrthoView is now able to supply direct to the hospitals, a solution tailored specifi cally for the CfH programme. The aim is to offer all users the latest version of the software, including the trauma templating facility.

The package itself is fl exible and can be tailored to meet the needs of the individual hospitals within the clusters. For instance, for those users with a previous version of OrthoView software, the Company is offering to upgrade the software and at the same time provide an opportunity to purchase an OrthoView Server, which would give universal access via a web browser.

UNIQUE NEW UPGRADE PACKAGE FROM ORTHOVIEWThis eliminates the restriction of having to use the package on a PACS viewer workstation. Another advantage of the offer is the possibility to add extra licences as required.

For those clusters not currently using OrthoView, the Company is offering a competitive upgrade whereby the LSP supplied product can be exchanged and upgraded, in a similar way to the OrthoView user’s package.

An added bonus of the offer is that all server packages include OrthoView’s remote maintenance option as standard, thus ensuring that all software and templates are automatically updated. All installations are supported from OrthoView’s UK offi ces and include a supply of markers to facilitate radiology in producing images that can be accurately scaled.

OrthoView 4 comes with enhanced functionality including trauma module, planning for all joints, osteotomy, auto-scaling and free on-line access to over 18,000 templates.

OrthoView is the world’s most widely used digital orthopaedic planning solution, used in hospitals and clinics throughout the globe.www.orthoview.com



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INSTANT HOSPITALS -

MANUFACTURED TO GOHighly technical modular medical buildings designed, manufactured

and supplied by Cadolto Fertiggebaude are incorporating VISTAMATIC

Vision Panels due to their extremely high quality within areas

where hospital safety, security and patient welfare are of paramount

importance.

Designed to allow medical personnel to safely observe areas sensitive

to any potential security, safety and health concerns, VISTAMATIC

Vision Panels allow discreet two-way monitoring before entering or

leaving a room. Consisting of clear and opaque sheets of glass in a

single frame, the panel is opened or closed via a simple lever or knob

mechanism, revealing or obscuring the view.

David Armstrong, managing director of Cadolto UK Ltd says: “Our

parent company has been in business for over 100 years, in which

time we have managed countless modular construction projects. With

expertise in healthcare building, our projects are carried out in short

turnaround times without any associated risks, factors highly valued by

customers from all sectors. We pride ourselves on providing customer

satisfaction with a commitment to working with only the best suppliers

and paying attention to detail with the products we use.”

“Careful consideration is given to patient benefi ts and their right to

privacy, coupled with the hospitals’ commitment to providing a safe

environment. VISTAMATIC Vision Panels offer an ideal solution to all

our customers.”

Amidst a present day revival of interest in ‘volumetric’ modular

buildings, Cadolto is emerging as the European market leader in the

conception and execution of prefabricated healthcare buildings. In

an economically demanding climate where consumers have become

accustomed to everything at the touch of a button, Cadolto with

the expertise in security of VISTAMATIC, provides an instant and

complete solution to hospital construction needs.

Based on the Post-World War II idea of prefabricated buildings,

modular construction is set to overtake conventional construction

methods with all weather production and fi xed costs offering an

effi cient alternative. A standard prefabricated building, with simple

mod cons and panel style windows effectively used as a quick fi x, now

takes the form of a technically advanced medical unit incorporating

VISTAMATIC Vision Panels, mass produced in factories worldwide and

then rapidly installed in hospitals ready for use.

As part of its prefabricated product philosophy, Cadolto constructs

self-supporting room modules and installs all electrical, mechanical

and medical equipment under the controlled conditions of its

production facilities and transports them to be connected on site.

The range of units includes fully functional operating theatres,

ICU’s, pathology labs, renal and diagnostic imaging facilities to

complete clinics for primary care providers.

An innovation in security, the installation of the genuinely unique

vision panels is an integral process on the assembly line for the

production of Cadolto clinics, blending unobtrusively into the interior

design of the units.

Commenting on this collaboration John Nerden, VISTAMATIC

director says: “We are very pleased to be associated with this major

European company and are delighted our products meet the very high

level of specifi cation demanded by Cadolto.”

VISTAMATIC products are designed and manufactured in the UK and

distributed worldwide. The vision panels meet the British Standard

BS EN ISO 9002: 1994, as well as BS 6206 for Tempered Safety

Glass Class ‘A’. VISTAMATIC can also work with architects and

designers to create bespoke sizes and specifi cations.

For more information, please see our website www.vistamatic.com

or contact: John Nerden, VISTAMATIC Limited, 51-55 Fowler Road,

Hainault Business Park, Hainault, Essex IG6 3XE

Tel: 0208 5002 200 Fax: 0208 5598 584

Email: [email protected]

Highly technical modular medical buildings designed, manufactured

and supplied by Cadolto Fertiggebaude are incorporating VISTAMATIC

Vision Panels due to their extremely high quality within areas where

hospital safety, security and patient welfare are of paramount

importance. Designed to allow medical personnel to safely observe

areas sensitive to any potential security, safety and health concerns,

VISTAMATIC Vision Panels allow discreet two-way monitoring before

entering or leaving a room. Consisting of clear and opaque sheets of

glass in a single frame, the panel is opened or closed via a simple

lever or knob mechanism, revealing or obscuring the view.When responding to articles please quote ‘OTJ’


In the early 1970s Graham Bowers’ knowledge and expertise in sheet-metal fabrication led to his involvement in a small design team set up by Wellcome Medical Equipment, a division of the Wellcome Foundation, to design and manufacture a new concept in Medical Operating Theatre design, many hundreds of which are now installed throughout Europe, and the Middle and Far East. This was followed by his own independent design which was lodged and patented as an invention for the building of environmentally controlled rooms (Medical Operating Theatres, MRI/CAT/PET Scanning Rooms, RF Shielded Rooms). Other areas of work within this fi eld of industry included the design and invention of a rapid deployment environmentally controlled enclosure for emergency medical usage in disaster areas.

Bowers is now semi-retired and is looking for a company to whom he could pass on all the relevant data of both systems, and who would be interested in exploiting the systems further.

Modular Building System for Medical Operating Theatres, MRI/CAT/PET Scanning Rooms, RF Shielded Rooms.

The system has been successfully ‘tried and tested’ on several projects, (for example; Sathya Sai Institute of Medical Technology ~ Bangalore, India. Colchester Oaks UK). The system has been developed over several years and is available with a System Directory and Register, 3D and 2D Engineering Drawing Library, Bills of Materials Library and Room Data Sheets to produce a complete system of Rooms and Enclosures. There is an in-depth 3D graphics DVD available which illustrates the overview, design, detail and application of the system.

In brief the System properties are;

*A completely new concept in design, manufacture and site assembly. Setting new standards for structural integrity, ease of build and dimensional precision and fl exibilty.

*Applications:- Operating Theatres, Shielded Rooms and Enclosures, Technical Clean Rooms, Laboratories and associated ancillary rooms.

* Designed by an engineer with years of experience of designing and building operating theatres in hospitals in the United Kingdom, Europe, and both the Middle and Far East. The system is a synthesis of International standards and manufacturing and production techniques.

* The system has been proven on several ‘design and build’ projects.

* The patented panel jointing design at the heart of the system is a consequence of totally re-thinking steel building construction in terms of computer numerically controlled (CNC) manufacturing technique.

* The ease with which complex cut and folded sheet metal parts can be produced by CNC methods allows the sophisticated mating joints to be produced without incurring the extra production overheads that would normally be associated with work of such high precision.

* The accuracy of this method of component manufacture, typically plus or minus 0.15mm, ensures that the panel modules are precisely ‘jigged’ during fabrication assembly by the components themselves, saving time and money without loss of quality.

* The special patented joints and the overall accuracy of the fabricated panel modules make assembly and erection on site problem free, requiring a relatively low level of skilled labour. The modular panel elements infallibly self-align and require only bolting together. The shell of the structure is completed in one fi x and dramatically reduces on-site build time.

* The overall sizing in ‘plan’ of the system is extraordinarily fl exible, enabling architects to optimise on space.

Overview of the systems’ properties:-

* The Patented Panel Joint satisfi es several criteria:- (i) A hermetic seal on all panel edges. (ii) EMC shielding. (iii) Structural stiffness. (iv) Self alignment of panel elements on site.

* The plan of the rooms can be rectilinear or octagonal with either fl at or raked roofs. The octagonal plan format has the option of two sizes of corner wall.

* Sizes for the octagonal plan room with an integrated lighting ring start at 4500mm by 4500mm and rise in increments of 150mm. The rectilinear plan rooms start at 1500mm by 1500mm and also rise in 150mm increments.

* Ancillary rooms and corridors can be connected together to form complexes of spaces which share the same degree of environmental integrity.

* Doors can be specifi ed in any wall in any position.

* The roof design allows for cut-outs and mechanical fi xtures and fi ttings for peripheral lighting and air conditioning.

* All wall and roof panels are made with 2mm Zintec sheet which obviates the need for lead lining where X-ray equipment is to be used.

* All panels are skinned on both the internal and external faces, creating an internal hermetically sealed void or cavity. Each panel element serves as an air extract duct, enabling complete and independent control of inlet and exhaust air fl ow

* The system has been designed throughout to be easily transported in standard.

Rapid deployment system of lightweight, environmentally-controlled enclosures (rooms) and inter-connecting corridors, to create, for example, a full medical facility in a disaster zone.

After spending a working life as a design engineer in the aeronautics, medical and audio industries, but specifi cally whilst designing specialist operating theatre suites, it was apparent to Graham Bowers that there was room for improvement in the provision of fi eld hospital facilities. He has designed a system, albeit still at the concept stage, that is very simple, practical and do-able. There is an interactive 3D graphics CD available which illustrates a simplifi ed overview, design, detail and application of the system

The system consists of a 6 metre diameter, 3 metre high, hemispherical 8-sided enclosure/pod/dome or, as he prefers to call it, a ‘cell’, which can act as anything from a store-room to an environmentally-controlled operating theatre. The cells can be built in less than 30 minutes by an experienced team, meaning that, in the case of use as an operating theatre, with the inclusion of an operating table and lamp, surgery can be performed in less than an hour. The semi-translucent property of the cell membrane (covering) means that surgery, or any other work, can be carried out immediately (in the hours of daylight) prior to an electrical supply being rigged up. The structure consists of:-

1 A self-levelling base consisting of 8 peripheral and 8 radial aluminium alloy/carbon fi bre, 50 millimetre diameter tube sections and a cast/machined aluminium alloy central hub. 8 fl oor panels, honeycomb construction 50 millimetres thick, top and bottom skins and inner core made from

aluminium alloy. Top surface material Mipolan or similar. Each panel has in-built apertures and ducts that serve as air exhaust outlets.

2 8 wishbone structural ribs made from aluminium alloy/carbon fi bre tube section ,50 millimetres diameter, fi xing to each other and an inner ring beam. The wishbones also act as air conditioning inlet ducts, the air being fed in through the ‘collar’ and into the cell via a vertical array of holes on the inside faces of the wishbone ‘legs’. Roof- mounted equipment eg; operating lamp, is fi xed to the inner ring beam.

3 Semi-translucent membrane and door covers, ‘Kevlar’ or similar. The door coverings are a fi xed yet detachable part of the membrane.

The cells can be interconnected side by side, or by a network of corridors.

Constructed using similar materials to that of the cell, the corridors can mate and spur off any or all 8 faces of the cell and can be connected to the cell externally, enabling the functioning environment within to be undisturbed. The width is 1.8 metres, the height is 2.5 metres and the lengths are based on a 1.8 metre module.

The semi-translucent properties of the membrane obviate the necessity for internal non-specialist lighting as lighting is provided externally (similar to site/stadium lighting). Corridors fi x and mate to the cells (and each other) via the membranes and the bases of the respective units. The membrane fi xing is two-fold and extremely quick; integrated magnetic strips and profi le gaskets mate to form a hermetic seal and heavy duty ‘hook and loop’ (Velcro or similar), again integrated into the membranes, mate to form a ‘mechanical’ seal around the periphery of the membrane joint. The door covering, which is fi xed to the membrane in the same manner can be removed (and replaced) to form an entrance and exit.

Within a short space of time, a specialist team could build an ever-expanding interconnecting complex, whilst as mentioned earlier, importantly, work can be performed immediately and undisturbed in the units built whilst the development and expansion is on-going.

The cells and corridors are in kit form, extremely light-weight and respectively share common parts. This minimizes manufacturing costs and storage space. The ease of handling, due to the light-weight, speeds transportation to site by whatever means the acting organization responsible for delivery chooses, or has available.

The concept could be described as evolutionary rather than revolutionary. The inventiveness of this idea lies in the knowledge and experience of the possibilities of bringing together disparate manufacturing disciplines and products ie:- structural engineering, tube manipulation and jointing techniques, honeycomb panelling, fabric usage, fastening technology, medical equipment, air conditioning (cool, warm, refrigeration) and ultra-clean air technology applications, site requirements (generators etc), site planning and an understanding of the ergonomics of human activity.

The potential applications, besides the fi eld hospital, are any situations where emergency and temporary housing is required, complimenting and in many circumstances, by far, superceding the current systems available which range from rigid (Portakabin type) structures to sophisticated and not-so sophisticated tent arrangements

Modular Building System for Medical Operating Theatres, MRI/CAT/PET Scanning Rooms, RF Shielded Rooms.

Operating Theatre

Rapid Deployment Medical Unit




MOLNLYCKE HEALTH CARE HELPS FUND

BRAZILIAN COMMUNITY PROJECTCourageous Sam Monaghan, Molnlycke Health Care Account Manager for the South East, has raised £4000 with the help of Molnlycke Health Care to embark on a community project in one of the poorest villages in Brazil. She will depart the UK on the 8th October 2006, returning on the 17th October.

‘Project Brazil’ has been set up to support the Bobby Moore Fund which helps tackle bowel cancer. Nearly 34,900 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year in the UK(1) and as we all know, cancer affects most people, either directly or indirectly, at some point in their lives.

The project will take place at the Santo Antonio da Parida School in Sertao, one of the poorest and most remote villages in the Chapada dos Veadeiros region of Brazil. The aim of the project is to restore two dilapidated school buildings, which support 100 children from surrounding areas, and play an important social function within the community. Sam will also be helping to build a football pitch in memory of Bobby Moore, for the community and the children in particular to enjoy.

Sam will work 10 hour days, in 33°C degree heat with just a two man tent to collapse in after a gruelling days work. This does not deter Sam, who claims: “It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to directly help those children and adults a great deal less fortunate than ourselves...every child should be given the opportunity of going to school, not just to be educated, but to develop social and interactive skills”.

With a minimum fundraising target of £4000 to reach, Sam is grateful to her employer, Molnlycke Health Care, for enabling her to commit to this project by donating signifi cantly towards this tough target.

Molnlycke Health Care would like to wish Sam and her fellow project team members every luck and success in this challenging project.

If you would like to donate funds to this worthwhile cause, please email [email protected] or call 0870 60 60 766.

References: 1 www.cancerresearchuk.org When responding please quote ‘OTJ’

Psychologists can predict which children are likely to be upset if they need a general anaesthetic

Children who have an emotional or sociable temperament are more likely to become upset before being placed under a general anaesthetic.

This is the conclusion of research presented today, Thursday 14 September 2006, by Dr Jenny Cropper, a Chartered Clinical Psychologist who carried out the research while at the University of Surrey, at the Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society’s Faculty for Children and Young People. The conference is being held at the De Havilland Campus of the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfi eld.

Dr Cropper and her colleagues from the University of Surrey and Great Ormond Street Hospital studied 84 children aged between four and seven. The children were receiving treatment under general anaesthetic at Great Ormond Street.

Before the operations the researchers used psychological tests to measure the children’s temperaments and also looked at their worries about the operation and any pre-existing behavioural problems. They found a signifi cant relationship between the temperament factors emotionality and sociability and problems putting the child under anaesthetic. They also found that children with several previous experiences of surgery under general anaesthetic were more likely to become upset.

Dr Cropper said: ‘Preparing children psychologically for general anaesthetic has been shown to be valuable, but it is not widely available at present. This study suggests it is possible to identify which children may benefi t from it most and to concentrate resources upon them.’

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Calder, British Psychological Society, Tel: 0116 252 9502

Operating Theatre – Fire - FatalityAmsterdam - A fi re in an operating theatre has claimed the life of a 69-year-old woman undergoing a minor operation while under local anaesthetic, a spokeswoman for the hospital in Almelo in the eastern Netherlands said Friday 29th September.

The woman was under local anaesthetic and fully conscious at the time, but fastened to the operating table in the Twenteborg hospital in the town in Overijssel Province.

During the operation on Thursday morning, a jet of fl ame shot out from a column in the operating theatre near the woman’s head. One report said the fi re was linked to the anaesthetic equipment.

The six staff members on the operating team were unable to reach the controls of the operating table as a result of the fi re, and attempts by the anaesthetist’s assistant to douse the blaze with a fi re hose failed.

The fi re brigade put out the fi re before it could spread beyond the operating theatre.

Members of staff received treatment for infl amed eyes and headaches, but no serious injuries were reported.

Hospital procedure stipulates that patients are fastened during an operation to prevent unnecessary movement. – Source IOL.co.za Sapa-dpa

Hospital loses Operating TheatreIt has been confi rmed an operating theatre is to shut at a Cornish hospital threatened with closure. It is the second operating area to be closed at St Michael’s Hospital in Hayle and a ward could also be closed.

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust said it always intended to close them as part of plans to claw back part of its projected £31m budget shortfall. But staff told the BBC they were “dismayed” by the announcement made at a meeting on Wednesday morning 6th September. Christine Dyan, regional offi cer for the union Unison, said: “They are very upset and that is quite understandable.

“The staff believe that that they have been made casualties of mismanagement.” On Tuesday managers and board members at the hospital trust were severely criticised by a team of fi nancial experts for their handling of the fi nancial problems. Price Waterhouse Coopers said the trust “lacked transparency” in its reporting of the scale of cash problems.

The trust said in a statement that the move was to make “the most effi cient use of the resources”. It said there would be no reduction in services for patients as their care would be transferred to West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance or Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.

A “small number” of theatre staff would have to be redeployed. It said: “The closure of a theatre now does not pre-empt any decision on its (the hospital’s) long-term future. “In the meantime, the two remaining theatres on the site will stay open and the very high standards of care provided by the hospital will

continue to be a vital part of the planned surgery the trust’s offers.”

Source: BBC NEWS


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PROPRIUS Perioperative Educators’ Forum

Gateway House, Manchester, November

15th 2006The programme at this year’s Forum will be slightly different

from that of recent years. A number of member centres have

indicated that they would welcome the opportunity to meet

as a group to discuss various issues related to perioperative

education. The PROPRIUS committee has decided, therefore,

to use the day originally planned for its annual Education

Forum for such a group meeting. The programme will be

largely organised as an open forum within which those issues

that have been raised by interested parties will be considered

and discussed. However, time will also be set aside for Centres

to report on specifi c developments in their area.

The Forum is open to all those involved in perioperative

education, members and non-members, whether clinically or

academically based - whether Nurse, ODP, Support worker,

or Student. The higher the number of delegates attending,

the more productive the forum; therefore, please contact

Nigel Keitley, PROPRIUS Secretary, or any other committee

member with your discussion topics as soon as possible,

and book your place at the Forum by contacting Tricia

Richardson either by phone or e-mail at:

01642 384959 or [email protected]

The Full Cost includes all sessions of the Education Forum,

lunch and refreshments

Cost: Members - £30.00; Non-members £70.00

www.proprius.org.uk

e-mail: [email protected]

PROPRIUS – Forum for Perioperative Education

– Promoting Excellence through Education

RECRUITING ?

Advertise Your Vacancy Here

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on:

0207 100 2867

Philips recently announced its new line of fl exible care and in-hospital transport monitors, the SureSigns VM Series. Designed to provide versatile, essential monitoring for a wide variety of care environments, the new SureSigns VM Series monitors provide enhanced user functionality and measurement capabilities in a compact, ergonomic, and easy-to-use product.

Philips introduced the new patient monitors to meet the growing need for more diverse monitoring solutions, even in lower acuity care environments. The addition of the SureSigns range extends Philips’ fl exible care product portfolio. The SureSigns VM Series monitors provide clinicians with reliable, easy-

to-use monitoring capabilities for a wide range of lower acuity clinical care settings. From spot-checking vital signs to continuous monitoring during sedation, SureSigns VM Series are designed around the way clinicians care for patients, with industry-leading parameters, intuitive operation, and Philips’ commitment to quality and service.

SureSigns VM Series monitors are straight forward to learn and effi cient to use. For example, clinicians can access trended data simply by pressing a key. All SureSigns monitors include industry-leading, standard-of-care, commonly required parameters such as ECG, pulse oximetry, and non-invasive blood pressure.

PHILIPS INTRODUCES NEW SURESIGNS VM SERIES FLEXIBLE CARE MONITORS FOR A

WIDE VARIETY OF CARE ENVIRONMENTS AND IN-HOSPITAL PATIENT TRANSPORTMeasurements vary by model and option, and may include temperature, invasive blood pressure, capnography and respiration.

Effi ciently designed, the monitors are compact, with a small footprint and generous screen. Crisp, colour displays are bright and easy to read. With easy on-screen navigation, information is presented in useful, logical, practical ways to support care decisions.

In-hospital patient transfer is practical with the SureSigns VM Series monitor’s comfortable handle, lightweight design and integrated bed rail hanger on the SureSigns VM6 and SureSigns VM8 models. SureSigns VM Series monitors are reliable and come standard with a four hour lithium ion battery eliminating battery and charging problems common to low acuity monitors that use other battery technologies.

About Royal Philips ElectronicsRoyal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PNHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world’s biggest electronics companies and Europe’s largest, with sales of EUR 30.4 billion in 2005. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 159,200 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, colour television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter

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Philips SureSigns VM Series fl exible care monitors


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