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The 1st European Symposium on Quality Management and Accreditation in Laboratory Medicine

Organised jointly by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC), the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFCC) and the French Society of Clinical Biology (SFBC), the two-day symposium served as a platform to address future strategies to promote accreditation for clinical chemists and all professions in laboratory medicine.

New campaign for fair drugs testing aims to combat exploitation worldwide

The Netherlands - People in developing countries run health risks from pharmaceutical companies testing drugs on them for the Western market.

MANAGEMENT

Accreditation and standards of Excellence in Europe

Medizintechnik-Unternehmen drohen Kostensteigerungen

Der Medizintechnik-Branchenverband SPECTARIS befürchtet, dass durch die Anpassung des Medizinproduktegesetzes ein erhebliche Steigerung der Kosten auf die Hersteller zukommt. Die in dem Vorschriftenentwurf geforderten Genehmigungsverfahren für Hightech-Produkte seien mit einem unnötigen Mehr an bürokra-tischem Aufwand verbunden.

Healthcare and the 2009 EU Presidencies

The next two countries to preside over the EU Presidency - the Czech Republic (first half year of 2009) and Sweden (second half) recently presented the priorities of their presidencies for healthcare at the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG).

11% drop in AMI admissions

Less acute heart attacks in Italy five months after the introduction of a smoking ban in indoor public places.

UBIFRANCE

UBIFRANCE and the network of Trade Commissions together constitute the French government's corporate international expansion support framework. Every year they help over 13,000 companies of all sizes, and from all sectors, to develop their activities worldwide, thanks to the expertise of 2,500 staff based in France and in 120 countries, who operate through the Trade Commissions of the French…

Controlling hazardous substances and other waste

COCIR*, the EU non-profit-making healthcare trade association, has signed a `Memorandum of Understanding´ (MoU) on environmental policy with ENVIRON*, an international consultancy that works with clients to assess and manage potential environmental, sustainability and health issues associated with their activities and products.

More choices for the needy

Individual budgets can give people more choice, flexibility and control over their personal care, as well as a better quality of life, according to a pilot scheme evaluation report launched by Care Services Minister Phil Hope.

The quality of paediatric nurse training

"Children are no small adults. That remains true no matter how often it is repeated. And it is particularly true in paediatric nursing," says Andreas Wachtel, vice chairman of the GkinD (Germany's association of children's hospitals and paediatric departments, and Elfriede Zoller, chairwoman of the BeKD (the country's professional association of paediatric nurses).

MEDICA - a benchmark for nursing organisations

MEDICA - the most important event in the world of healthcare - displays the entire range of products, solutions and innovations relevant in this sector. The event is therefore also important to nurses, for they can discover and examine new equipment and other products and directly contact the manufactures and distributors.

When must buyers put out tenders?*

Initially, it must be emphasised that companies are only committed by current public procurement law where this is required by law.

2.2 billion euros saved should be spent on nurses

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) wants the Department of Health to spend a forecasted surplus of around 2.2 billion euros on the 2008/09 National Health Service (NHS) budget on nurse recruitment and training and to support the transition from acute to community-based care under health minister Lord Darzi's reform of the NHS.

Germany: Tackling contaminated water

Compared with private households, hospitals may only produce 10-20% of wastewater containing the residue of drugs; however, tackling the problem is very necessary.

Equipment safety and nursing care

The safety of medical products, which includes bedding, depends on three pillars: identification of mistakes, updating standards and training.

Europe's unequal healthcare

Christian Pruszinsky reports from the 11th European Health Forum Gastein in Austria: `Achieving the level of healthcare of the older EU member states will remain a long-term project for new members´ .

A new tool for European patients

Last week, the Commissioner for Health, Androulla Vassiliou launched the 'Europe for Patients' campaign in Brussels. The campaign highlights the different health policy initiatives the Commission intends to adopt in the coming months. All these initiatives are bound by a common goal: better healthcare for all in Europe.

The wait is over

The UK's National Health Service is notorious for its waiting time for surgery. The Scottish Government recently decided to tackle this issue and proposed a Patient Rights Bill which includes a legal right to surgery within twelve weeks .

eHealth for safe, high quality and efficient cross-border healthcare

Health systems and health policies across the EU are becoming ever more interconnected which raises many health policy issues. On 2 July 2008, in the context of the Renewed Social Agenda, the European Commission tabled a proposal for a directive on patients' rights in cross-border healthcare. Essential precondition for cross-border healthcare is the existence of electronic health record systems…

Harmonising rules on information about prescription drugs

Pharmaceutical companies are not allowed to inform consumers on the internet or in ads about side effects, application and ingredients of medicines. The pharmaceutical industry would like to relax this ban and mustered support from EU Commissioner Günter Verheugen who will present a legislative proposal later this year.

Are nurses the better GPs in primary care?

"Should nurses replace GPs as frontline providers of primary care?" This question was discussed controversy by Bonnie Sibbald, Professor of Health Service Research, University of Manchester, (pro) and Rhona Knight, portfolio GP, Leicester, (contra) who alleged their reasons on the British Medical Journal website

Healthcare without borders

High-quality health services are a priority issue for European citizens. Rights to healthcare are also recognised in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. Health systems and health policies across the EU are becoming more interconnected than ever in the past.

Primary prevention of CVD: Challenges and Achievements

Lifestyle and risk factor results show that recommended scientific guidelines form a contrast to what is achieved in daily practice in high risk individuals in primary prevention of CVD. Together with its partners the ESC demands a comprehensive and multisdicplinary primary prevention programme involving the high-risk population, their GP's and other health professionals, a health insurance…

UK Polyclinic proposals meet opposition

The relationship between England's GPs and hospitals is currently at a sensitive stage, with a review of health services across the country set to impact on the way the two groups work and liaise with one another.

High risk of contrast-induced nephropathy refuted

The belief that iodinated contrast agents can induce nephropathy has been held for many years, even though most of the clinical literature has not been able to distinguish contrast-induced nephropathy from other causes of the condition.