Infection Control Horizon Scanning Volume 2 Issue 9

An improvement collaborative to reduce Clostridium difficile infection in acute care

Source: BMJ vol. 341 issue 7765, pages 196-199

For fulltext link here

Date of publication: July 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: A quality improvement methodology was introduced at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust to reduce the number of cases of C difficile infection.  A new antimicrobial team introduced new guidelines and established a ‘Breakthrough Series’ collaborative to facilitate team learning.  The top 20 changes implemented are listed

Length of publication: 4 pages

Acknowledgement: British Nursing Index (BNI)

Press reporting of the ‘dirty hospital’

Source: Journal of Hospital Infection, vol. 75 issue 4, pages 318-22

For abstract link here

Date of publication: August 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Investigates UK press coverage of MRSA infection, focusing on how writers linked infection to standards of hospital cleanliness. Items in national newspapers, BMJ and Lancet 2000-2007 were examined to identify their sources of information and their bias towards reporting MRSA as a hygiene problem related to poor cleanliness.  Interviews with journalists about their understanding of MRSA were also conducted.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library for the full text of this article.

Acknowledgement: British Nursing Index (BNI)

New immunotherapy treatment option

Source: Health Protection Agency

For fulltext link here

Date of publication: September 2010

Publication type: News story

In a nutshell: An alternative approach to treating and preventing Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is being developed by scientists at the Health Protection Agency.  This could in future be used in combination with antibiotics or as a replacement for antibiotics.  The treatment, called an immunotherapeutic, is in the early stages of development and would work by using antibodies which would neutralise the toxins produced by C. difficile which cause symptoms of diarrhoea.  

Length of publication: Web page

New rapid test to speed up TB diagnosis and treatment

Source: Health Protection Agency

For fulltext link here

Date of publication: September 2010

Publication type: News story

In a nutshell: Delegates at the annual conference, Health Protection 2010, have been hearing about a new test designed by scientists at the Health Protection Agency which will identify positive tuberculosis (TB) cases within one hour.

Length of publication: Web page

Further dissemination

If you think anyone would benefit from receiving this posting please email them the link to this blog.