New Department of Health C. Difficile objective

Source: Department of Health

For full text link here

Date of publication: March 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A new C.difficile objective will be introduced and will require organisations with the highest rates of infection to make the biggest reductions and challenge the best performers to sustain their low rates and strive for further improvements.

Length of publication: Web page

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

Community Clostridium difficile Alert Cascade

Source: Clean, Safe Care

For fulltext link here

Date of publication: Jan 2010

Publication type: Case study

In a nutshell: This case study examines the implementation of a ‘Community Clostridium difficile Alert Cascade’ at NHS North Yorkshire and York Community and Mental Health Services. The aim of the project was to improve antimicrobial prescribing and infection prevention measures for patients in the community with C.difficile infection. This was achieved through the development of a mechanism for the acute-based laboratories to inform the PCT Infection Prevention and Control team of a new C.difficile isolate, who then fax patient details to the patient’s General Practitioner.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Clostridium difficile infection: a critical analysis of the guidance

Source: British Journal of Nursing 18 (21) pp.1328-32

Follow this link for Full Text (NHS Athens username and password required)

Date of Publication: November 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a Nutshell: Looks at implementation of the report Clostridium Difficile Infection: How to deal with the problem.  Identifies that while it puts in place a structure for clinical governance it pays scant regard to the financial implications of implementation.  The article highlights the reports limitations in an acute setting.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Accuracy of Clostridium difficile toxin detection kits

Source: NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, Centre for Evidence Based Purchasing

For fulltext link here

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: Report evaluating different Clostridium Difficile toxin detection assays.

Length of publication: 36 pages

Some important notes: This is report CEP08054 in the CEP catalogue.

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Working together to cut Clostridium difficile infections

Source: Clean, Safe Care

For fulltext link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type:  Case study

In a nutshell: Case study outlining a range of activities undertaken at Wirral to reduce Clostridium Difficile infection (CDI) through various activities relating to the four Ps of Health Care Associated Infection (HCAI): people, performance, policies and practice.  CDI cases have been reduced by 35% in the hospital and community setting.

Length of publication: 8 pages

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Clostridium difficile infection: how to deal with the problem

Source: Department of Health

For fulltext link here

For Abstract link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Practice Guidelines

In a nutshell: Guidance  outlining newer evidence and approaches to delivering good infection control and environmental hygiene. This documents updates the 1994 DH/PHLS guidance (Clostridium difficile infection: Prevention and management)

Length of Publication: 140 page pdf document

Acknowledgement: DH Website

Infection control campaign launched at UCLH

Source: University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

For fulltext link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Case Study

In a nutshell: A pilot hand hygiene campaign funded by the Department of Health was launched at University College Hospital on Tuesday 24 February.   The campaign aims to to engage, excite and motivate people to improve hand hygiene and to change their attitudes and behaviour.  The campaign uses new technology and communication strategies such as viral messaging, holograms, laser displays and a specially commissioned song for YouTube.

Length of publication: 1 web page

From deep clean to keep clean: learning from the deep clean programme

Source: Department of Health

For fulltext link here

Year of publication: 2008

Publication type: Best Practice

In a nutshell: A compendium designed to identify areas of good practice arising from the national deep clean initiative and become a basis for sharing learning across organisations.

Length of publication: 29 page report

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Acknowledgement: New Documents Bulletin

Development of a clostridium difficile isolation ward

Source: Clean, Safe Care

For fulltext link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Case study

In a nutshell: This case study examines the planning and development of a 12 bedded cohort isolation facility on Broadwater Unit, Worthing Hospital, designed to combat the spread of Clostridium difficile (C.difficile) within the Trust. Caring for all affected patients in one place allowed a co-ordinated approach to the medical treatment and nursing care of patients.

Length of publication: 4 page PDF document