Managing C difficile relapses in the community

Source: NursingTimes.Net

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Date of publication: June 2012

In a nutshell: Nurses face several challenges in caring for patients with recurrent episodes of C difficile. This article describes the development of an algorithm to help practitioners meet the needs of older patients who have recurrent episodes of C difficile in the community.

Length of publication: 3 pages

A bundle of care to reduce colorectal surgical infections: an Australian experience

Source: Journal of Hospital Infection, volume 78, issue 4, pages 297-301

For full text link here [NHS Athens account required]

Date of publication: Aug 2011

In a nutshell: Research in Australia to develop and evaluate a bundle of care designed to reduce surgical site infections in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. A care bundle involving an evidence-based checklist for the assessment and management of normothermia, normoglycaemia, oxygen delivery and antibiotic administration was implemented, and the impact on infection rates over a 12-month period was measured. Issues relating to staff compliance with individual  components of the care bundle are discussed.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Is closure of entire wards necessary to control norovirus outbreaks in hospital?

Source: Journal of Hospital Infection, volume 79, issue 1, pages 32-37

For full text link here [NHS Athens account required]

Date of publication: Sept 2011

In a nutshell: Research examining outcomes of the introduction of a new strategy for combatting a norovirus outbreak in hospital. The closure of affected ward bays instead of entire wards, along with the introduction of new cleaning procedures and testing, supported by a bigger infection control team, are described. The impact of this strategy was measured by comparing the severity of norovirus outbreaks in 2007-08 and 2009-10, before and after its introduction, including number of patients and staff affected and how well the outbreak was contained within the hospital.

Length of publication: 6 pages

High impact action to reduce infections

Source: Nursing Management UK, volume 17, issue 6, pages 14-19

For fulltext link here

Date of publication: October 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Third in a series on the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement publication, ‘High Impact Actions for Nursing and Midwifery’.  This article examines the importance of aseptic technique for the prevention of urinary tract and other infections.  A local initiative to reduce cases of ventilator associated pneumonia, and central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections are described.

Length of publication: 6 pages

Some important notes: Your NHS Athens username and password is required to access the full text of this article.

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)

Development of a tool for assessing the safe preparation of parenteral medicines in clinical environments

Source: Journal of Clinical Nursing, volume 19, issue 11-12, pages 1569-77

For abstract link here

Date of publication: June 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: To reduce risks to patients from medication error and microbiological contamination, a tool was developed to allow preparation of parenteral medicines to be scored for risk before being prepared in clinical areas.  Highest risk items are now targeted for transfer to pharmacy for preparation.  This work was adopted by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) and was subsequently issued as Patient Safety Alert 20 (Injectable Medicines).

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

Length of publication: 9 pages

Selecting reusable equipment that is fit for purpose

Source: Nursing Times, volume 106, issue 27, pages 15-7

For fulltext link here

Date of publication: July 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: An infection prevention and control team (IPCT) identified a commode chair that would meet the needs of patients and could be cleaned and disinfected easily. The process followed to ensure the commode was fit for purpose could be applied when searching for other reusable equipment to ensure it meets patients’ needs and meets infection control guidelines.

Length of publication: Web page

How to run a successful seasonal flu jab campaign

Source: Canadian Medical Association Journal [July 19 e-pub ahead of print]

For fulltext link here

Date of publication: July 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: A review by Canadian researchers has concluded that the most successful way to run a seasonal flu vaccination campaign is to use a combination of interventions.  The authors also state that “campaigns involving legislative or regulatory components (e.g., mandatory declination form, mandatory masks for unvaccinated personnel) achieved higher rates than other interventions”.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Acknowledgement: NursingTimes.net

Healthcare workers’ uniforms: roles, types and determining policy

Source: British Journal of Nursing Vol. 19, Iss. 7, pp 438 – 441

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Date of publication: April 2010

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: Article considering the dissonance between public perceptions, evidence for risk and uniform policies within the NHS.

Length of publication: 5p.

Some important notes: Requires an NHS Athens Password for access.

Acknowledgement: CINAHL

Hospital-based epidemiology: a strategy for ‘dealing with Clostridium difficile’.

Title: Hospital-based epidemiology: a strategy for ‘dealing with Clostridium difficile’.

Source: Journal of Hospital Infection, 74(4) 319-325.

Date of publication: April 2010

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: Study that shows the value of local epidemiology for planning infection prevention and control strategies within an NHS trust and for contributing to the evidence base for national targets and policies. This prospective epidemiological study of 275 new cases (general practitioner and hospital) diagnosed in a large teaching hospital in the UK shows the highest incidence of cases was found in haematology and critical care and a surprisingly high proportion, 29%, of hospital cases occurred in those aged <65 years.

Length of publication: 6p.

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

Acknowledgement: CINAHL

Surveillance tool to help recognise signs of catheter related infections

Source: Nursing Times, February 2010, vol./is. 106/6(12-4) (16th Feb)

For abstract link here

Date of publication: February 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This article outlines the development of a surveillance tool at Central Manchester University Hospital Foundation Trust, designed to recognise signs of infection and speed up catheter removal.

Length of publication: 3 pages

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