And the winner is... – Practical Patient Care Awards 2013

Most sophisticated lab automation solutions

Winner: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics

As laboratories make the move towards automation, they are likely to face challenges - not only does their chosen system need to reduce time and costs, but it also must be compatible with their particular set-up. Given the variable needs of individual labs, it can be hard to find solutions that are adequately tailored towards each unique environment.

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics is one of the leaders in this field, offering consulting services as well as laboratory automation systems. As demonstrated by its wealth of client case studies, many hospital labs have successfully combined the two.

What's more, its systems can be tweaked to fit. While there are three broad options (ADVIA Automation Solutions, VersaCell System and Aptio Automation), all are customisable, multidisciplinary and suitable for any size of lab. The common thread is the same: flexible and versatile, they enable a lab to accomplish more.

The NHS's Tayside blood sciences laboratory in Scotland was the first in northern Europe to deploy Aptio Automation. "Our close working relationship with Siemens allows us to provide a state-of-the-art service that aligns the lab function with Tayside's overall goals for organisational sustainability and improved patient outcomes," a hospital spokesperson said.

Best biotechnology

Winner: Organogenesis

A commercial leader in the regenerative medicine field, Organogenesis is known for its commitment to bioactive wound healing and oral regeneration. Since receiving FDA approval in 1998, the company's signature product, Apligraf, has been used to treat over 250,000 patients. A living cell-based product, indicated for the treatment of venous leg and diabetic foot ulcers, it is now the leading regenerative medicine product in the world.

In 2012, Organogenesis also received approval for GINTUIT, which has since become commercially available and represents a new therapeutic class in dentistry. In brief, GINTUIT is a cellular sheet that can generate new gum tissue without needing to resort to palatal graft surgery. As a recognised treatment for mucogingival conditions, it is the first FDA-approved cell-based product to be used in dentistry.

This latest product has helped cement Organogenesis's reputation as an innovator within the biotech arena.

In October 2013, GINTUIT was nominated for the prestigious Prix Galien USA Award, which is considered the highest accolade in the industry.

"Biopharmaceutical research cannot exist without those that are willing to push innovation, and extract understanding and attention in the details," said Bruno Cohen, chairman of the Galien Foundation. "We are proud to honour those in the field that exemplify these values."

Greatest dedication to wound care

Winner: Smith & Nephew

A global medical technology business with leadership in orthopaedic reconstruction, sports medicine and trauma, Smith & Nephew is particularly well regarded for its expertise in advanced wound management. The company supplies treatments and prevention products for even the most hard-to-heal wounds.

One of the most interesting solutions is PICO, introduced in 2012, which represents a new way of administering negative pressure wound therapy. Consisting of a small portable pump and a specially designed dressing, PICO generates a pressure of -80mmHg, which is maintained across the wound bed. Despite its efficacy, the device is small enough to fit discreetly into a pocket or bag.

PICO is especially notable for being single use. Engineered to provide seven days of therapy, it promotes wound healing through removal of low to moderate levels of exudate and infectious materials. At the end of the week, the pump and batteries can be recycled. It comes with two separately packed dressings, enabling one full dressing change over the course of its lifespan.

"PICO's seven-day duration should allow us to more rapidly transition the care of patients with post-operative wounds and skin grafts to the outpatient setting," said Dr Raymond Dunn, chairman of plastic surgery at the University of Massachusetts. "This saves the healthcare system money and improves patients' quality of life."

Most cutting-edge research and development

Winner: Fotona

Founded in 1964, only four years after the invention of the laser, Fotona is renowned as a world-leading developer and manufacturer of medical laser systems. At the heart of its business are high-performance crystal laser sources, which can be used across a wide array of medical applications.The company boasts particular expertise in aesthetics and dermatology, dentistry, surgery and gynaecology.

Compared with standard options, lasers can be used to generate faster and less invasive treatments, and have settled into a strong position in all these segments. From sci-fi-seeming beginnings, they are now considered a standard tool.

Fotona's R&D expertise is underlined by its patented Variable Square Pulse technology, which minimises excess laser energy absorption into bodily tissue and therefore improves patient safety. The company has also pioneered an Energy Feedback Control feature, which actively monitors and controls each individual laser pulse's energy level. Then there are proprietary handpieces, innovative operating modes and advanced beam-profile technologies. The company exhibited at the recent EADV congress in Istanbul, which saw a surge of interest in medical lasers. The event featured a presentation of Fotona's medical laser applications, including its new Avalanche FRAC3 hair removal treatment, treatments for skin rejuvenation and minimally invasive gynaecological procedures.

Top OEM

Winner: B. Braun Medical

As one of the leaders in its field, B. Braun Medical manufactures and distributes on a global basis. When it comes to medical applications, it leaves no stone unturned - the company offers products and services across the full spectrum of healthcare. Areas of note include anaesthesia, surgical instruments, diabetes care, orthopaedics, wound closure and infusion therapy. This said, cherry-picking certain segments does a disservice to the rest. Across any and every hospital department, B. Braun helps to improve treatments and working procedures, and thus increase the safety of patients and staff.

Headquartered in Germany, the company began life in 1839 as a pharmacy selling medicinal herbs. Today, it employs around 50,000 people across 50 countries, and is separated into several divisions: Hospital Care (disposable hospital supplies); Aesculap (surgical products and services); OPM (outpatient market); Avitum (extracorporeal blood treatment) and TransCare (a home healthcare service).

B. Braun has become a byword for healthcare innovation, not to mention good clinical practice. Its products enable improved patient outcomes, medication error reduction, infection prevention and environmental stewardship. When it came to selecting a best original equipment manufacturer, there really could be no other choice.