PRIMARY CARE
SPECIAL REPORTS
Improving Expertise in Diabetes Management through Postgraduate Training – BMJ
Diabetes is increasingly common, affecting people of all ages in all populations. It can have a major impact on the physical, psychological, and material well-being of individuals and their families, and can lead to significant complications. Self-management in the context of multidisciplinary support is the key to care, and empowering patients through properly educated members of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) is essential.
Improving the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypertension – DiaSorin Limited
In today’s day and age, we can identify causes in only 5-10% of those with hypertension and often these causes are to do with disturbances of the renin-angiotension-aldosterone system. Faster and more reliable testing of renin and aldosterone would be a great boon to hypertension diagnosis and management. Fortunately, such testing exists and is now commercially available.
The Role of Oral Nutritional Supplements in the Management of Adult Malnutrition – Nualtra Ltd
Malnutrition in the form of under nutrition is a major problem worldwide. In the UK it is estimated to cost more than £19 billion and affects more than 3 million people. A lot of research, education tools and detecting tools have been developed by the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN).
Improving Lung Function and Quality of Life for Patients with Severe Emphysema – PneumRx
Emphysema is the alveolar damage part of chronic obstructive airways (pulmonary) diseases (COPD). The other type of COPD is caused by damage in the bronchi and/or bronchioles. This report focuses on COPD emphysema in which air is trapped in the lungs and the lungs have less than normal recoil with an effect of symptomatic breathlessness, tiredness and signs of poor blood oxygenation and carbon dioxide retention.
Improving the Efficiency and Effectiveness of the
Referral Process – Cloud2
The NHS is under pressure, it seems, from just about every quarter. With funds on the way down and workload on the way up there is a greater emphasis than ever before on efficiency and process. One of the key areas for improvement has been in the referral process. It’s slower than it needs to be with many communications still made via second class post. And it’s inefficient – too many referrals are unnecessary or inappropriate. There is work to do to improve the process from all perspectives.
Commissioning and Implementing Web Filtering and Internet Security Solutions – Smoothwall Ltd
As part of the drive towards a digital and paperless future, the government is pushing NHS Trusts across the country to start offering free Wi-Fi in their hospitals, GP practices and care centres. These will be available to the public and staff alike and can have a huge range of benefits. But even so, the challenge of installing systems which are suitable for the NHS is considerable.
Addressing NHS Connectivity Challenges and the Role of Scalable Networking Solutions – Updata Infrastructure
Changing demographics and evolving patterns of ill-health mean that increasing numbers of people have long-term and complex conditions that require long-term and complex solutions. Better connectivity is needed to ensure that any one professional can work from anywhere at any time as if they were in the consulting room with full access to patient records and clinical capabilities. To this end, the NHS is continuing to address its connectivity challenges.
Managing Menopausal Symptoms and the Role of Hormone Replacement Therapy – Besins Healthcare (UK) Ltd
With regard to managing menopausal symptoms and recommending hormone replacement therapy, as a general Practitioner you should ideally follow the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidance based on the symptoms of any women 45 or over without the need for inconclusive blood tests. If she tells you she is suffering, then treat.
Advances in Point of Care Ultrasound Technology
– GE Healthcare
When people think of an ultrasound machine, they still revert to the traditional image of bulky apparatus which requires a specialist to operate. Increasingly, though, pocket-sized devices which bear a greater resemblance to smartphones are making their presence felt and, as they do, they are revolutionising the way hospitals provide care.
Preventing Influenza and the Role of Adjuvanted Vaccines – Seqirus Vaccines Ltd
A killer in its own right, flu can also cause or exacerbate potentially fatal conditions such as pneumonia or heart disease. Prevention is better than cure and a great deal of effort goes into devising, improving and updating flu vaccines to try and minimise the impact of the annual flu season.
Improving the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Mediracer Ltd
Carpal tunnel Syndrome is on the rise. While it can be treated quickly in primary care, more than 5,000 people are treated in secondary care in the UK every year. Reducing that number will help health services cope with the strain and improve the wellbeing of patients.
Reducing the Recurrence of Episodes of Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy in Adult Patients – Norgine
The brain is a complex organ protected by the skull and a blood-brain barrier that acts as a gateway to stop noxious substances getting to the brain. The healthy liver ensures that the blood-brain barrier is not overexposed to ammonia compounds but once the liver fails these compounds overwhelm the brain and hence lead to encephalopathy. Because of this it is vital to identify cases of liver damage as early as possible, stop liver damage where we can and where we cannot stop it, mitigate its effects with medications to reduce hepatic encephalopathy.
Improving the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Mediracer Ltd
Carpal tunnel Syndrome is on the rise. While it can be treated quickly in primary care, more than 5,000 people are treated in secondary care in the UK every year. Reducing that number will help health services cope with the strain and improve the wellbeing of patients.
Reducing the Recurrence of Episodes of Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy in Adult Patients – Norgine
The brain is a complex organ protected by the skull and a blood-brain barrier that acts as a gateway to stop noxious substances getting to the brain. The healthy liver ensures that the blood-brain barrier is not overexposed to ammonia compounds but once the liver fails these compounds overwhelm the brain and hence lead to encephalopathy. Because of this it is vital to identify cases of liver damage as early as possible, stop liver damage where we can and where we cannot stop it, mitigate its effects with medications to reduce hepatic encephalopathy.