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

Working together to prevent and control infections

Title: Working together to prevent and control infections

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Source: Care Quality Commission

Date of publication: September 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: This report highlights a need for hospitals and care homes to provide information about infections to each other to:

• make sure that people with, or recovering from, an infection are cared for properly;
• reduce the chances of other people being infected.

The report finds that:

• information about infection is not provided in a coordinated way;
• care home managers have concerns about illegible or incomplete discharge information;
• ambulance crews are often left out of the information loop;
• care homes have not fully implemented national infection control guidelines.

Length of publication: 44p.

Implementing the new NHS Cleaning Manual: Vicki Finlay, NPSA interview

Title: Implementing the new NHS Cleaning Manual: Vicki Finlay, NPSA interview

Source: Focused FM TV

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Date of publication: 21/09/09

Publication type: Audiovisual

In a nutshell: Interview with Vicki Finlay, Healthcare Cleanliness Lead at the NPSA advises on what the changes made by the introduction of The Revised Healthcare Cleaning Manual mean for trusts and how best they can implement the new guidance to drive improvements in cleanliness.

Length of publication: 05.30 minutes

Some important Notes: Site requires free registration.

Revised Healthcare Cleaning Manual

Title: The Revised Health Care Cleaning Manual

Source: National Patient Safety Agency

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Date of publication: June 2009

Publication type: Practice Guidelines

In a nutshell: Revised Healthcare Cleaning Manual detailing new guidance to drive improvements in cleanliness across different healthcare settings, including acute care, mental health care, primary care and the ambulance service.  It provides a new, improved collection of cleaning method statements as well as new advice on the use of emerging cleaning technologies.

Length of publication: 174p.